Truck transportation employment in the United States rose in July 2025, defying broader economic weakness, while warehousing payrolls saw another sharp drop, marking their lowest level since late 2021.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that seasonally adjusted truck transportation jobs increased by 3,600 from June, bringing total employment to between 1,523,200 and 1,523,300, depending on source alignment. Compared with July 2024, trucking employment is up by around 6,600 jobs, or 0.4%. This modest year-on-year gain was largely concentrated in March and July, as most other months over the past year recorded declines.
Average hourly earnings for non-supervisory and production truck drivers stood at $31.04 in June, down slightly from the previous month but maintaining a broader upward trend. Typical annual salaries in 2025 vary by role: over-the-road drivers average $92,606, regional drivers $75,877, and local drivers $66,252. Nationwide, the average annual pay for truck drivers is approximately $93,910, reflecting regional cost differences and route demands.
Warehousing Headcount Falls to 2021 Levels
In contrast, the warehousing and storage sector shed 6,400 jobs in July. Adding to the pressure, June figures were revised downward by 12,000 jobs, underscoring a persistent decline. July’s total payroll of 1,818,300 marks the sector’s weakest employment figure since October 2021, when jobs stood at 1,797,600 during the post-pandemic ramp-up.
Year-on-year, warehousing employment is down 2.1%. Analysts attribute the drop to evolving inventory strategies, automation adoption, and labor model adjustments in response to global trade tensions. Industry hiring has shown short-lived bursts earlier in 2025—often linked to tariff-related inventory buildups—but July’s decline signals renewed caution among employers.
Rail Sector Stays Flat, Broader Transport Holds Steady
Rail transportation employment remained unchanged in July at 153,200 jobs, a level that is 1.8% lower than the same month in 2024. Meanwhile, total U.S. transportation and warehousing employment reached 6,738,200 in July, up 0.1% from June and 1.2% from a year earlier. Compared to pre-pandemic levels in July 2019, the sector remains 18.5% higher.
Despite the overall stability, industry participants point to persistent volatility. Trucking employment has swung back and forth in recent months, reflecting market instability fueled by freight rate pressures, shifting trade policies, and lingering pandemic impacts. Operating margins remain tight, with spot market rates running about 20% below average operating costs and even contract rates struggling to keep pace with expenses.
Warehousing appears more sensitive to macroeconomic headwinds, with companies moving toward flexible labor arrangements to navigate uncertain demand. Employers continue to adjust to post-pandemic market realities, where efficiency gains and leaner inventory models outweigh expansion in headcount.
