Heartland Express announced a pay raise for drivers in all divisions across the company, including mileage drivers, owner-operators, hourly and salaried drivers, and teams.

The increase will take effect on July 7, impacting the base mileage pay and hourly/salary pay that the company’s drivers can earn. Heartland is an irregular route truckload carrier based in North Liberty, Iowa.

Drivers will now earn 40-49 cents per mile, based on division, on the Household Goods mileage scale for drivers with at least six months to a year of over-the-road experience. This is before any additional pay , such as a safety bonus or hazmat pay. When hiring drivers, Heartland will recognize up to 10 years of experience offering those drivers 45.5 to 53.5 cents per mile on the HHG miles. All over-the-road drivers receive an annual longevity increase up to a total of 20 years recognized experience. Heartland’s safest, most experienced drivers can earn as much as 67.5 cents per mile in targeted areas of the country.

Other forms of compensation at Heartland will remain unchanged. The company offers a safety bonus of 1 to 3 cents per mile for safe driving, a northeast region Green Mile bonus of 5 cents per mile, and a Canadian mile bonus of 5 cents per mile. Heartland also offers an additional 1 cent per mile for all miles paid when holding a hazmat endorsement. Heartland offers drivers a weekly pay guarantee for the first 13 weeks of employment and the company recently doubled its referral bonus to $2,000 for driver referrals hired.

“Heartland has always strived to take a leadership position for driver pay,” said Mike Gerdin, Heartland president and chief executive officer. “This pay increase, along with our existing benefits package, is going to offer the compensation that our drivers truly deserve. Their service to our customers and their professionalism is the reason we can offer an improved pay package.”

Related: Driver Pay - Making the Grade