The trucking industry employs more than 3.5 million people, with one in nine of them being independent. Of those, most are owner operators. In Canada, there are over 250,000 licensed truck drivers. There are an estimated 1.2 million trucking companies, but most of them only operate six or fewer trucks.
Canada’s trucking industry is one of the largest in the world. Its GDP is $648 billion and more than 120,000 registered truck drivers operate in the cross-border trade. About forty thousand licensed truck drivers work in the U.S. A recent study estimated that the trucking industry is facing a shortage of approximately 18,000 truckers in the country. In the United Kingdom, the shortage is much higher, with an estimated one hundred thousand “lorry” drivers required to move goods between the two countries.
While the number of truck drivers has been steadily increasing since 2000, there has been a decline from 2016 to 2020. In 2021, Canada will have the highest number of registered truck drivers on record, with around 324,200 truck drivers. That’s a staggering number, and it’s worth considering trucking as a career.
How Many Active Truck Drivers are There?
Statistics on truck drivers indicate that more than two million are active, making the trucking industry the largest employer in the country. Currently, about one in every five truck drivers in Canada is a South Asian. This change is striking, considering the fact that the majority of truckers in Canada are white.
As of the end of 2017, there were nearly 23,000 open truck driving positions in Canada, and more are predicted to be unfilled by 2023. This shortage has made it difficult for employers to hire new drivers. According to Trucking HR Canada, the trucking industry will need over 17,000 new drivers each year until 2025. This means that if you’re currently looking for a short term job, you might want to consider the provinces of Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.
Canada’s trucking industry contributes nearly one third of Canada’s GDP, and the demand for drivers is expected to increase for several years. Moreover, the low Canadian dollar is expected to increase the demand for drivers.
How Many Truck Carriers are There in Canada?
Canada’s economy is heavily dependent on a reliable and efficient freight transportation system. In addition, it is also dependent on a skilled workforce to handle the growing volume of goods. As a result, the country is looking to immigration to fill the growing shortage. It plans to add one million new workers to its labor pool within the next three years. A truck driver’s license is easy to obtain, and the wages are excellent.
As of 2018, there are over 200,000 truck drivers in Canada. They make an average of $25 per hour. While trucking jobs are generally considered safe, they do involve a significant amount of risk. More than 100 people die and 25,000 people are injured every year in trucking-related accidents. Drivers also face challenges like back pain, fatigue, and loneliness, in addition to the high personal risk.
Canada has 134,000 for-hire trucking companies. The sector generates over $67 billion in operating revenue every year and is one of the largest sectors of the country’s economy. In fact, the industry supports almost every industry in Canada. It also contributes to Canada’s GDP, and is projected to grow even more in the coming years. The industry in Canada is in high demand, with an estimated seventeen thousand new drivers needed each year.
Who is the Biggest Trucking Company in Canada?
There are many trucking companies in Canada, but few are as large as TransX, which was purchased by CN in March 2019. The biggest trucking company in Canada is Bison Transport, which has a fleet of over 1400 trucks and 4,000 trailers. Their employees are highly trained and have the experience to safely and efficiently transport cargo of all sizes.
Today’s Trucking magazine has updated its annual ranking of Canada’s largest truck fleets. The list shows that TFI International still ranks first, even after CN acquired TransX in March 2019. Mullen Group, Day&Ross, and Trimac are ranked second, third, and fourth, respectively. The rankings are based on total equipment counts, and do not take into account layoffs during the recent Covid-19 economic downturn.
Another company that ranks high on the list is SLH Transport. This trucking company was founded in 1985, making it one of the oldest companies in Canada. They operate an extensive fleet of vehicles, including flatbed trucks and tractors. The company is well managed, has an excellent benefits package, and respects the needs of its drivers. The company’s focus is to keep its drivers happy, so it offers competitive pay packages and a comprehensive benefits plan.
How Much Does a Trucker Make in Canada?
The salary of a truck driver varies greatly across the country, but on average, the yearly income is around $48,750 CAD. The salary depends on the type of trucking company you work for, your skill level, language skills, and the province you operate in.
Although there is a shortage of truck drivers across Canada, the job market is improving. According to the Canadian Association of Truck Drivers, there are almost 20,000 open trucking jobs across the country. This vacancy rate is up 138% since 2016. High turnover rates, an aging workforce, and a lack of female truck drivers are some of the reasons for the shortage. For this reason, many new truck drivers are curious to know how much truckers make in Canada.
The salary for a truck driver starts at around twenty-four thousand CAD per year, which is about $42,000 CAD for a truck driver with two years of experience. After five years, the average salary increases to thirty-nine thousand CAD. At ten years, the salary doubles. However, a trucker’s salary will depend on his or her experience level.
Why are There Not Enough Truck Drivers?
In Canada, there is a critical shortage of truck drivers, affecting businesses and consumers. The reasons for the shortage vary from region to region and company to company, but some common factors include an aging workforce, a shortage of young people, and a high demand for drivers. Across Canada, there are almost 23,000 vacancies for truck drivers, and 61% of employers are finding it difficult to fill these positions.
A lack of drivers causes delays, which can disrupt the entire supply chain. This is especially problematic in the Just-In-Time supply chain, which only produces goods when they are needed. The shortage has impacted the industry’s ability to maintain a high level of service, but it has also forced some businesses to make changes to their operations.
The shortage is caused by several factors, including a lack of training and experience. While truck driving is a high-paying profession, younger generations have not traditionally been interested in pursuing it. Changes in the economy and freight markets haven’t helped the situation.
How Many Truckers Own Their Own Trucks?
Many truck drivers consider owning their own trucks to be the best way to enjoy greater personal freedom, but the burdens of running a business may consume their time and leave little room for enjoying personal freedom. Owner operators are now a significant part of the trucking industry, making it possible for truckers to have greater control over their time and money. However, this independence comes with increased risks.
According to the American Trucking Associations, there are currently about 3.5 million registered truck drivers in the United States, and over 800,000 of them are owner operators. These drivers account for 70 percent of the nation’s freight and generate $749 billion in revenue each year. As owner operators, they provide a service that larger companies cannot. They also free up larger trucking companies to focus on their core business functions.
A recent law has changed the way trucking companies classify their drivers. While the new regulations are intended to increase truckers’ freedom of choice, they will make it difficult for truckers to work as independent contractors. Under the new law, independent owner-operators will be treated as employees instead of independent contractors. As a result, the law could drive out independent owner-operators, driving up shipping rates in California.
Is There Really a Truck Driver Shortage?
While truck driving isn’t the most glamorous of professions, there is a high demand for truck drivers. In fact, nearly 72% of goods are shipped by truck in the US, making this a vital industry. Unfortunately, there is a global shortage of truck drivers, and the shortage is projected to grow even larger by 2030. This shortage has led to many trucking schools to close or reduce class sizes, which has meant fewer new drivers entering the workforce. Despite this, many people with training are still reluctant to enter the field because of low pay and less than desirable working conditions.
But the trucking industry says the shortage isn’t as severe as some experts claim. According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), a shortage of truck drivers has plagued the industry since 2005. But the shortage has become particularly alarming now, as the global economic slowdown has caused many supply chain issues. Even the American Trucking Associations, a lobbying group for big trucking companies, have repeatedly warned of the driver shortage, which has caused prices to rise. Besides fuel prices, truck drivers are also paying substantial costs for maintaining their rigs.
Learn More Here:
3.) Best Trucks
