Walmart raises pay for its private fleet of truck drivers

Walmart is raising pay for its private fleet of approximately 12,000 truck drivers and launching a new fleet development program to train the next generation of drivers, the retail giant announced on Thursday. 

With the raises in place, Walmart drivers can now make up to $110,000 in their first year with the company, with the potential to make even more down the road, based on factors like tenure and location. Through the new private fleet development program, Walmart is paying for supply chain associates in select areas to earn their commercial driver’s license (CDL) — which can cost between $4,000 to $5,000 — and become professional Walmart drivers. 

“Our approximately 12,000 drivers are deeply dedicated to safety and professionalism, and today, we’re proud to announce pay raises to ensure Walmart remains one of the best companies in the world to drive for,” wrote Walmart’s Fernando Cortes, senior vice president, Transportation, and Karisa Sprague, senior vice president, Supply Chain People, in a blog post.

With the launch of the first-ever Walmart Private Fleet Development Program, over the course of a 12-week program, supply chain associates in the Dallas and Dover, Del., areas earned their CDLs and became full-fledged Private Fleet Walmart drivers. Walmart trained established drivers as  Certified Driver Trainers for the program. After completing specialized training in the Walmart Academies, they began working with trainees — teaching written material and overseeing actual driving.

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“The investments in pay and training build on multiple recent driver bonuses and improved schedules that enable drivers to spend more time at home,” said Cortes and Sprague in their blog. “There’s never been a better time to join our fleet. Once drivers are on board, this is a job many leave only for retirement.

“Our transportation team will continue to grow with our business, and we’ll continue to invest in them along the way,” they said.