Executive Summary
The Superior Trucking Payroll Service (STPS) Driver Pay Index June 2026 reached a new record, climbing to 170.04. That means truck driver pay is now approximately 70% higher than it was in January 2020, the baseline for the index.
Whether you believe the trucking industry is experiencing a driver shortage or simply increased competition for experienced drivers, one thing is clear: trucking companies are paying more to attract and retain quality drivers.
If you’re planning to grow your fleet in 2026, this trend is worth paying attention to.
Who Is This For?
This article is for:
- Trucking company owners
- Fleet managers
- CFOs and controllers
- HR and recruiting managers
- Anyone responsible for Truck Driver Payroll
- Companies evaluating trucking payroll services or improving payroll for trucking
June 2026 Driver Pay Index
The STPS Driver Pay Index uses January 2020 as a baseline of 100.
Each monthly value reflects how truck driver compensation compares to that starting point.
Here are the most recent numbers:
| Month | Driver Pay Index |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | 130.42 |
| February 2026 | 144.18 |
| March 2026 | 145.15 |
| April 2026 | 150.83 |
| May 2026 | 157.15 |
| June 2026 | 170.04 |
June represents:
- A new all-time high
- An 8.2% increase from May
- A 70% increase compared to January 2020
That is a remarkable move in a single month.
What Does This Mean?
One of the biggest debates in trucking right now is whether there’s actually a driver shortage.
Reasonable people can disagree on that question.
What isn’t really debatable is this:
Trucking companies appear to be paying more to secure experienced drivers.
Higher wages usually happen because employers feel pressure to compete.
Whether that pressure comes from:
- increased freight,
- better freight,
- fleet expansion,
- or simply fewer qualified drivers,
the result is the same.
Drivers are earning more.
Competition for Good Drivers Is Increasing
Recently, we’ve noticed something interesting.
Industry conversations about a “driver shortage” have become much more common.
That doesn’t necessarily prove a shortage exists.
But it does suggest something important.
When trucking companies begin talking about hiring challenges, they usually become more aggressive in recruiting.
That often means:
- higher mileage rates
- larger sign-on bonuses
- improved benefit packages
- faster hiring
- more attention to driver retention
Those changes eventually show up in payroll.
That’s exactly what the Driver Pay Index measures.
Why Trucking Companies Should Pay Attention
If you’re planning to add trucks this year, now may be the right time to review your compensation package.
Ask yourself:
- Are your pay rates still competitive?
- Do your drivers clearly understand how they’re paid?
- Is your pay package transparent?
- Are you using per diem correctly?
- Are your pay stubs helping build trust?
Many fleets focus only on cents per mile.
Drivers often evaluate much more than that.
They also care about:
- consistent payroll
- accurate settlements
- clear pay statements
- fast issue resolution
- confidence they’ll be paid correctly every week
Those are areas where good trucking payroll services can become a competitive advantage.
Higher Driver Pay Doesn’t Have to Mean Higher Payroll Costs
One mistake we see is assuming higher driver pay automatically means dramatically higher payroll expense.
That’s not always true.
There are legitimate ways to improve a driver’s take-home pay while managing employer costs.
Examples include:
- properly administered truck driver per diem programs
- accurate payroll tax handling
- reducing payroll errors
- minimizing driver questions through transparent pay statements
At Superior Trucking Payroll Service, we’ve helped trucking companies improve driver satisfaction while simplifying payroll for trucking at the same time.
Looking Ahead
If the Driver Pay Index continues climbing, recruiting experienced drivers may become even more competitive during the second half of 2026.
Waiting until you’re short on drivers is rarely the best strategy.
The fleets that consistently attract quality drivers usually prepare before everyone else realizes the market has changed.
Final Thoughts
Whether you call it a driver shortage, a hiring challenge, or simply increased competition, the payroll data tells an important story.
Driver compensation continues to rise.
The June 2026 Driver Pay Index of 170.04 is the highest we’ve recorded since launching the index, and it’s another reminder that driver recruiting and retention remain among the biggest challenges facing trucking companies today.
The companies that combine competitive pay with transparent Truck Driver Payroll, excellent communication, and reliable payroll processes will likely have the strongest advantage moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
The STPS Driver Pay Index measures changes in truck driver compensation over time using January 2020 as a baseline of 100. It provides a simple way to track long-term wage trends across the trucking industry.
The index reached 170.04, an 8.2% increase over May 2026. While individual companies have different reasons for increasing pay, the overall trend suggests stronger competition for experienced truck drivers.
Not necessarily. The index measures compensation, not driver availability. However, rising wages often indicate that trucking companies are competing harder to recruit and retain qualified drivers.
Many fleets improve their overall compensation package through transparent pay practices, compliant truck driver per diem programs, better communication, and reliable Truck Driver Payroll instead of relying solely on increasing cents per mile.
Drivers are more likely to stay when they trust they’re being paid accurately and understand exactly how their pay is calculated. Reliable payroll for trucking builds confidence and reduces payroll-related frustrations.
Written by
Mike Ritzema
Mike Ritzema founded Superior Trucking Payroll Service after years as a trucking CFO — so he knows the industry from the inside out. He writes about payroll, per diem, and driver pay with one goal: making life easier for trucking families. When he’s not solving payroll problems, you’ll find him crossing another MLB stadium off his bucket list.