Transportation and logistics provider, Werner Enterprises, announced the largest owner-operator per-mile increase in pay in company history.

The increase for owner-operators equates to $10,000 in annual payments for all 48-state Van solo owner-operators according to Werner. The increase affects about one-third of Werner’s owner-operator fleet.

Additionally, Werner announced additional owner operator Dedicated opportunities, increases for owner-operator Regional routes and an owner-operator specific interest rate for low mileage truck purchases.

Werner sees these moves as part of the company’s efforts to attract and retain professional drivers during the driver shortage.

“As we aim to grow certain aspects of our fleet, we continue to examine and adjust payment packages where it makes sense for both retention and expansion,” said Derek Leathers, Werner’s president and COO. “Professional drivers are vital to our business and our nation’s economy, so it’s important that we compensate them accordingly.”