Diversity in the Trucking Industry: The Facts

Black truck driver standing next to truck. Diversity in the trucking industry is still a work in progress

Equality in the workplace has been an issue for as long as equality has been an issue. In other words, forever. The years since Martin Luther King gave his famous speech and Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus have trickled by, but race is just as important a topic today as it was at the beginning of the Civil Rights movement. 60 years ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Black truck driver. Today, diversity in the trucking industry looks a lot different. It’s far from perfect, but we’ve come along way.

Most truck drivers are still white males, but stats are slowly changing.

In a 2017 survey, it was estimated that upward of 90% of truck drivers are male. In an earlier study, researchers found that two-thirds of truck drivers are white. While those statistics don’t sound very promising, when the drivers are divided into age categories, change is evident. The latest generation of truckers, encompassing drivers under the age of 35, features considerably more Hispanic drivers, female drivers, and drivers with a high school diploma. 

Hispanic truck driver, representing diversity in the trucking industry

BYX, based near Los Angeles, California, has always been aware of diversity in the trucking industry. (Or lack thereof.) From the start, we have been dedicated to offering equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees.

The majority of our amazing drivers are Hispanic, with some Black drivers and some white drivers. All are male. As the newest generation of truck drivers is born, we hope to welcome in a more diverse pool of drivers, including more women and POC.

Diversity in the trucking industry is still influenced by safety concerns.

While our location places a role in our company’s demographics, it may not be the only factor at play. Safety risks are still a deterrent for Black and female applicants. This is especially true in some regions of the United States.

Long-haul truck drivers often sleep in their trucks. You can’t park a semi just anywhere. You have to go to a truck stop, and female drivers are understandably anxious. Some Black drivers have also reported that they learn which stops to avoid to stay safe

No truck driver should ever be afraid to stay at a rest stop because of their skin color or gender. While it’s still a real concern, the culture of truck driving has evolved drastically. We have high hopes that truck driving will eventually be a safe, supportive, and exciting career option for anyone who’s willing to give it a try.

An ongoing commitment to improving the safety of more vulnerable drivers is key to bringing in a more diverse population of truck drivers, and we hope fellow trucking companies share in our commitment to making it happen. 

The forecast for diversity in the trucking industry is positive.

As older generations — the ones that were primarily dominated by white, male drivers — retire, they make room for a new, more diverse generation of truck drivers. Diverse companies are significantly more likely to show above-average profit than those with fewer minority employees. More importantly, businesses with a diverse workforce can better serve a diverse customer base. 

BYX firmly believes that inclusivity and equitable business practices are non-negotiable. It’s disappointing to see that not all trucking companies across the United States feel this way, but they’re the exception, not the rule. Diversity in the trucking industry is, little by little, changing for the better.

Fleet owners can help by always offering jobs to the best possible candidate, regardless of race or gender- just like we do at BYX! We look forward to seeing a future of trucking that is more diverse and welcoming. We’re happy to be a part of it.

Scroll to Top