With an increasing demand for capacity and high driver turnover at large fleets, two trucking companies this week announced significant pay increases to attract and retain established commercial truck drivers.

Southern Refrigerated Transport announced that its drivers would receive the biggest pay raise in company history this spring, offering up to a 6-cent per mile increase for mileage-based drivers. This is the second pay bump for drivers at SRT in the past six months for the refrigerated carrier.

This latest pay increase goes into effect for all mileage-based SRT drivers on March 11. Utilization is also up at the company, offering drivers the chance to driver more miles at the higher rate, according to SRT.

“Our drivers didn’t want another bonus, which you see so often throughout the industry, said Billy Cartright, chief operating officer at SRT. “They wanted a pay increase they can see every week on their paycheck.”

KLLM Ups Driver and Owner-Operator Pay

KLLM Transport Services also announced a pay increase for its company truck drivers as well as for its independent and lease-purchase contractors. Effective immediately, KLLM solo company drivers are now paid 38 to 50 cents per mile depending on experience, with over-the-road teams receiving 48 to 53 cents per mile depending on experience.

Effective Feb. 5, independent and lease purchase contractors will receive 95 cents per mile with fuel surcharge on loaded miles.

"This represents the largest pay increase in KLLM's 53-year history," said Jim Richards, president and CEO. "Our driving force is the most important asset we have, and we want to provide them with the top-tier income that they deserve. We have stronger requirements for our drivers, so we want our pay to be at the top, too."