Transport Trucking Statistics

Trucking transportation is one of the most important industries in the United States and is the engine that keeps the national economy running. Here is a quick guide on some of the most important transport trucking statistics that give us a snapshot of the current industry. 

Top Trucking Industry Statistics

General Statistics

• As of 2021, over 1.9 million trucking operations are based out of the US. This number is split between private carriers and for-hire carriers.
• The trucking industry employs nearly nine million people across the country, with over 3.5 million individual truck drivers. Most drivers are independent owner-operators 
• Over 95% of all trucking operations use less than 20 trucks, and more than 90% work with fewer than six trucks. As such, most trucking carriers in the US are small businesses, not large corporations. 
• Truck drivers collectively drive more than 430 billion miles every year. About half of these miles are from class 8 (heavy-duty) trucks.
• Truckers transport nearly 70% of all freight in the US. Truckers alone move more than $650 billion worth of products and goods each year. 
• According to transport trucking statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the trucking profession will grow by 4% from 2020 to 2030, which is about the average growth rate across all professions. 

Demographic Statistics

• Most truck drivers (~47%) are experienced professionals between the ages of 35 and 55.
• 86% of full-time truck drivers are men. However, the number of women truck drivers has significantly increased in the past two decades, with women representing almost 15% of truck drivers. 
• Texas is the state with the most people employed as truck drivers, with over 172,000. About 1 out of every 15 people in Texas is a truck driver. 
• The average commercial truck driver is nearly 75% more likely to work at a private carrier instead of a public company. 
• 9 out of every 10 truck drivers are employed full-time. 

Financial Statistics

• The trucking industry produced more than $875 billion in revenue in 2021—more than air or sea transportation. 
• Profit margins for trucking companies are relatively thin. The typical operating ratio is one dollar of revenue for every 95 cents, leaving about 5 cents of profit. 
• The truck driving industry consumes approximately 53 billion gallons of gasoline every year. 
• The average annual salary for a truck driver is about $77,500. Average salaries differ depending on the location. Owner-operators typically have a higher average salary. 
• According to transport trucking statistics, flatbed truckers typically make more money than dry van truckers as they drive longer distances. 

Trucking Safety 

Trucking safety is one of the most important aspects of running a shipping and transportation company. Aside from injuries on the road, drivers and other personnel can sustain injuries when accessing truck cabins and trailers. 

For example, one of the most common kinds of injuries for truck drivers is falling injuries from the cabin or back deck. Our Deckmate Ladder is designed specifically for truck trailer beds and can reduce the risk of falling injuries when accessing truck beds and cabins.

Contact Gateway Supply Today!

Gateway Supply in Pampa, Texas, is the U.S. distributor of the Deckmate Ladder and is ready to fill an order for you today! Contact us today at 806-440-1126 with any questions you have, or send us an email.