The country’s largest retailer said in a blog post on Thursday that drivers with previous experience working with the company could earn even more based on their tenure and location. Walmart has approximately 12,000 employees who drive trucks owned by its company.
Walmart said that before this increase, the average salary for young drivers was $ 87,500 in the first year. It also said it hired about 4,500 truck drivers last year, the most in its history.
“We will continue to hire as needed to support business growth,” a Walmart spokeswoman told CBS MoneyWatch. He added that the company will also pay for the cost of a driver to obtain a commercial driver’s license, which can be around $ 4,000 to $ 5,000.
The Walmart recruitment boom comes as the country faces a shortage of truck drivers, which is exacerbating supply chain barriers and making it harder to transport products on store shelves. President Biden on Monday announced a plan to hire more veterans and women in the truck industry.
Walmart said people can visit drive4walmart.com to apply for a job.
“These latest investments mean Walmart drivers can now earn up to $ 110,000 in their first year with the company,” said Fernando Cortes, senior vice president of transport at Walmart, and Karisa Sprague, senior vice president of Supply Chain People. , in the company position. .
The truck industry has been hit hard by rising fuel costs at 2:10 p.m.
By comparison, the average pay for heavy truck and tractor drivers in 2020 was $ 47,130 per year, according to the Bureau of Statistical Labor. Last year, the industry was small with a record 80,000 drivers, according to the American Trucking Associations, a trading group.
To become a Walmart driver, candidates must have certain qualifications. The company requires drivers to have a Transnational Commercial Driving License (Class A) with HAZMAT approval or proof of HAZMAT approval within 120 days of receipt. Job applicants must also have a clear driving record without serious traffic or movement violations in the last three years.
Walmart screens for DUI, DWI, OUI (operation under the influence) or reckless driving that includes alcohol or drug convictions for the last 10 years, as well as issues such as avoidable road accidents.
