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Multiple news outlets have confirmed that Walmart is increasing wages for long-distance truck drivers. The company is also starting a training program to encounter the situation of supply chain disturbances. However, the supply chain has become a major issue in the country and economy.

The US is now experiencing a shortage of at least 80 thousand truck drivers amid poor pay and working conditions. The largest retailer in the country is intervening and beginning efforts to resolve the issue by increasing truck drivers’ pay.

New Wages for Long-distance Truck Drivers

Walmart has started key moves and announced to increase its wages for long-distance truck drivers. The company is also extending its program to train the next truck driver generation. Truck drivers are expected to earn between $95K and $110K.

The company said it will also increase the average pay for truck drivers. However, the average salary for long-distance drivers is around $56K and they are expecting to get around double the amount. The recent move came as supply chain issues critically disturbed the already troubling truck industry.

Walmart Employs 12K Drivers

The US Labor Department confirms the trucking industry in the country said they lost around 4,900 jobs last month. Moreover, Walmart and other retailers basically experienced a considerable increase in revenues. This has happened because the demand for consumer products and goods was boosted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the last 2 years, Walmart has employed around 7 thousand drivers for its internal fleet. However, the company hired 4,500 drivers in 2021 and currently employs around 12 thousand drivers. The company’s established drivers started the latest private fleet 12-week program.

Commercial Driver License (CDL)

Walmart is now paying for supply chain affiliates through this latest private program in Dallas and other areas. It would offer them the CDL (commercial driver’s license) and will cost around $4,000 to $5,000. The CDL will make them professional drivers for Walmart.

The company said that at least 20 Walmart workers in Delaware, Dover, and Dallas have earned their CDL licenses. Around 400 to 800 Walmart workers in the supply chain network will complete their 12-week truck driving program in 2022.

Cargo Drivers will earn $110K Annually

A blog post said the largest retailer in the nation has announced the beginning of increasing salaries for long-haul drivers. It would increase cargo drivers’ earnings from around $95,000 to $110,000 annually, high from an average start salary of $87,500. The blog pointed out that long-serving Walmart drivers are expected to earn more, based on location and other factors.

Walmart has pointed out the hiring of at least 7,000 drivers for its internal operations during the past 2 years. However, the company hired around 4,500 last year, which marked the highest number in Walmart’s history.

Trucking Action Plan from Biden Administration

It is noteworthy that the White House has also tried to overcome the issue of driver shortage in the country. The Washington administration also hosted drivers, truck operators, economists, and other experts at the White House.

President Biden hosted a meeting for awareness about the challenges the supply chain industry is experiencing. He also pointed out the Biden administration’s newly designed ‘Trucking Action Plan’.

This is supposedly an effort of 90-days to support bringing more truck drivers into the trucking industry. Biden said that trucking moves around 70% of entire goods in the US and truck drivers are now experiencing original issues.