K&B and ATS Raise Truck Driver Pay as Fleets Compete for Experienced Operators

Two carriers announced substantial driver-pay increases as fleets continue competing for experienced operators. FleetOwner reported September 25 that K&B Transportation raised its Road Warrior over-the-road rate from 70 cents to 82 cents per mile. Anderson Trucking Service increased regional van pay by 16%, moving its stated rate from 60 cents to 70 cents per mile. Roehl Transport also announced another pay increase without publishing a per-mile figure.

The changes show how targeted compensation can vary by operating model. A premium OTR position may require longer stretches away from home or a specific availability pattern, while a regional job may trade some mileage opportunity for a more predictable operating area. The advertised cents-per-mile number therefore should be read with dispatch expectations, guaranteed pay provisions, detention rules, accessorial compensation and home-time policies.

For drivers comparing offers, annual income cannot be calculated accurately from the mileage rate alone. Practical questions include how many paid miles drivers typically receive, whether practical or household-goods miles are used, how empty miles are treated and what happens when freight, weather or maintenance reduces utilization. Benefits, bonuses, equipment assignment, paid time off and deductions can materially change take-home value. Applicants should request a written pay example that reflects the exact position and expected schedule.

For carriers, raising the headline rate can help recruiting, but retention depends on whether operations consistently deliver the miles and working conditions promised. Dispatch communication, maintenance response and accurate settlement statements determine whether a higher rate becomes dependable earnings. CDL students should also confirm experience requirements before treating any advertised rate as entry-level pay. The recent increases are useful market signals, yet each driver still needs to compare total compensation and realistic weekly utilization rather than choosing a job from one number.