With no end in sight to the truck driver shortage, many freight firms plan to raise wages and make efforts to improve drivers’ work-life balance, according to a 2025 Logistics Report from Tech.co, a research, analysis and news provider. 

“Tech.co’s research has found that companies are struggling to attract new drivers to the industry, creating a ticking time bomb for the sector, which is built on the workers in the cabs,” said Tech.co’s Editor, Jack Turner. “It’s reassuring to see that some companies are responding proactively to these issues, choosing to increase pay and the worklife balance of these essential workers.”

Tech.co surveyed 521 professionals in the U.S. transport and shipping sector. Data was collected in May  2025. 

Some 56% of U.S. freight businesses across all surveyed states plan to increase driver compensation & benefits, Tech.co said July 9, and 44% of U.S. freight businesses across all surveyed states plan to provide better training & development opportunities.

Among the U.S. freight businesses prioritizing staff retention, over half (56%) plan to increase driver compensation and benefits, matched by another 56% planning to emphasize work-life balance.

Texas stands out as the state that’s leading the way for both driver wage increases and work-life balance improvements.

14% of Texas-based freight businesses said that they’d be focusing on raising wages this quarter, and 13% of freight firms in this state also said that they’d be focusing on improving work-life balance - these are the largest figures from logistic businesses across all surveyed states.

Meanwhile, a staggering 88% of U.S. freight businesses who say workforce limitations pose a "critical, immediate operational risk” have seen recruitment and retention worsen in the past year, the survey found.

Tech.co concluded that driver compensation and work-life balance improvements are the most popular tactics used to tackle driver shortages, but labor issues are a multifaceted issue, likely requiring more than one approach.