Labor Shortages Hinder Growth in U.S. Truck Freight Industry

According to a recent survey by tech.co, about 75% of freight companies in the U.S. are experiencing solid demand for truck transportation. However, a important 25% of these firms point to labor shortages as their primary challenge, which is hindering what could be a booming freight market.

The survey highlights that one-quarter of U.S.freight businesses view workforce shortages as their top concern, with 15% prioritizing recruitment and employee retention this quarter. To address these labor challenges, many companies are focusing on enhancing training and advancement opportunities—an approach favored by 8% of industry professionals.

Other strategies include ramping up recruitment efforts (7%), improving drivers’ work-life balance (6%), boosting compensation and benefits for drivers (6%), and fostering a better company culture (6%).

Jack Turner, Editor at Tech.co, commented on the situation: “The trucking sector has been sitting on a labor crisis for years; it’s like a ticking time bomb that’s about to go off. If we don’t attract more talent—especially from younger generations—we risk missing out on ample business opportunities.”

This survey gathered insights from 260 professionals within the U.S. transport and shipping industry during April 2025.