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Freight Recovery Intensifies Driver Shortage for Major Carriers

A robust freight market is creating fierce competition for truck drivers, putting large carriers at a disadvantage as hiring pressures mount across the industry. Van volumes stand 6.4% above their six-month average, while flatbed demand has surged 77% compared to the prior period. The April 2026 truck transportation sector added 4,300 jobs—the largest monthly gain in nearly three years—giving drivers unprecedented leverage in negotiations. As freight volumes strengthen, drivers increasingly gravitate toward higher-paying positions with better conditions, forcing major fleets to offer premium compensation packages to maintain adequate workforce levels. The tightening capacity environment has significantly shifted negotiating power toward drivers, who now enjoy more employment options than in previous years. Major fleets must compete aggressively for talent.