[The freight market is finally feeling the heat. After a year of record loads, two of the biggest carriers are finally putting money where their drivers' mouths are—again.]
What happened
Roehl Transport and Nussbaum Transport disclosed second pay raises for their drivers in 2026. Roehl is adding $2,500 per month to its existing $2,500 raise, while Nussbaum is tacking on an extra $2,000 per month to its earlier $2,200 increase. Both moves come as the industry grapples with a 12% drop in available capacity and a 15% rise in spot rates since Q1. The carriers say the hikes are needed to retain talent and keep lanes moving.
Why it matters for dispatchers/drivers
For dispatchers, higher driver pay translates to tighter margins on every load. You’ll see carriers trimming deadhead miles, demanding stricter on‑time performance, and pushing for more efficient routing. Drivers will be less tolerant of sub‑par equipment or chaotic schedules—expect push‑back on overtime, detours, and split‑loads. In short, the cost of labor is rising faster than fuel, so the profit equation is shifting.
My take
This is a wake‑up call: if you’re still treating drivers like interchangeable assets, you’ll be left with empty trucks and angry dispatchers. The market is finally rewarding the people who keep America moving, and anyone who doesn’t adapt will be out‑competed. – Ekjot Singh, Founder, EK Dispatch Academy
What you should do
- Re‑evaluate your rate cards and factor in the new driver wage baselines.
- Invest in routing software and real‑time visibility tools to cut deadhead miles.
- Train your dispatch team on driver‑centric communication; EK Dispatch Academy’s latest curriculum covers wage‑impact negotiation tactics.