Researchers with the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) said a new study has found notable shifts in the U.S. truck driver workforce.
The analysis, Evolving Truck Driver Demographics: Issues and Opportunities, found that broader societal and labor force trends are reshaping the truck driving industry and offered options for the industry to engage under-represented populations. According to the study, the average truck driver is 47 years old, compared to 42 for the rest of the American workforce. The truck driving workforce is primarily Gen Xers. As those older drivers head into retirement, the industry needs to recruit more truck drivers from the millennial and Gen Z populations, the study said.
“While members of the Silent Generation (born 1928 – 1945) are still present, they make up only a small fraction of the workforce today,” the study said. “Generation X represents 40.8 percent of truck drivers – the most represented generation. As the 20.7 percent of the driver workforce represented by Baby Boomers move toward retirement, the industry must continue to find strategies to connect with both Millennial drivers (30.7 percent) and Generation Z drivers (7.5 percent), given that these two generational cohorts comprised 52.6 percent of the total U.S. labor force in 2023.”
Additionally, women make up only 4.1 percent of truck drivers, leaving an area the industry could also recruit from. Overall, ATRI said, the research provides a roadmap to help carriers enhance their recruitment activities, improve retention and build a more resilient driver workforce.
“As the trucking industry grapples with an aging workforce and continued demand for drivers, this research underscores the need to embrace evolving demographics,” Amanda Schuier, Jetco Delivery strategic maintenance director, said. “By broadening recruitment efforts, fleets can tap into new talent pools to not only strengthen driver recruitment and retention but also address critical workforce challenges by creating sustainable pathways into trucking careers.”
The report also looked at ways to expand access to trucking careers for underrepresented backgrounds, primarily former foster care youth and justice-involved individuals.
“These groups may face unique challenges, but with the right support, trucking can offer a stable and rewarding career path,” ATRI said. “The research encourages carriers to adopt targeted outreach, training pipelines, and reentry support, while implementing hiring practices that assess each candidate’s circumstances and readiness on a case-by-case basis.”
Copies of the report are available for download on ATRI’s website.