Oklahoma trucking companies are facing the same challenge as those all over the U.S. A shortage of drivers.
Several factors enter into the shortage that started developing several years ago, including the growing age of the typical person behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler.
The Tulsa World focused on Tulsa’s Melton Trucking company which has about 80 out of its fleet of 1,300 trucks sitting idle simply because the company cannot find enough people willing to making those long hauls.
It was several years ago when the company saw early signs of a growing shortage. It started hiring drivers right out of school and Robert Ragan, chief financial officer at Metlon said it has resulted in increase costs.
Melton isn’t alone in dealing with the shortage. Nationwide, the industry lacks about 50,000 drivers. The shortage is also seen at Tulsa Tech where Donnie Tulk teaches and coordinate’s the truck driver training. He fields calls from all over.
“Whenever they tell me they can’t purchase the trucks they need to do business because they can’t find the drivers to put in those trucks, it means it’s pretty critical,” Tulk said.
The average Melton Truck Lines driver will make $70,000 annually with the top drivers earning up to $90,000. Starting pay with the company is in the mid-$50,000 range.
“That’s good money, and until we can solve this driver shortage, those wages are going to continue to go up,” Ragan said. “Of course, as a business we have to pass those increases on in order to stay in business.”
One of the biggest reasons for the driver shortage is an aging workforce.
The median age for a truck driver is 49; the median age of overall workers is 42.
The older generation of drivers is retiring, and not enough younger drivers are entering the industry.