Nussbaum Transportation Raises Driver Pay, Adds Profit Sharing Plan

Nussbaum Transportation announced pay increases for drivers on May 29, 2026, becoming the first carrier in a tightening labor market to publicize such moves publicly. The privately held company said over-the-road drivers will receive a 3-cent-per-mile raise and a $50 boost in their weekly minimum guarantee, while new hires start at 5 cents per mile higher with a $100 bonus. Drivers in key locations get a 10-cent premium above prior rates after two rounds of improvement this spring. The company also launched its first profit sharing plan, expected to average 2 cents per mile annually, and offered bonuses of up to $5,000 for new hires through June 30, 2026. Recruiting director Joseph Anderson told FreightWaves the changes reverse pay cuts made in December 2024 and position the fleet “a little bit ahead of the pack.” The move echoes Schneider National’s September 2020 public pay increase that sparked a wave of raises. Industry observers note driver turnover is accelerating, with Ryder CEO John Diez recently predicting sign-on bonuses and wage inflation as freight markets improve.