Trucking Reigns Supreme in Freight Transport
Trucking Industry Revenue and Employment in 2019 According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the trucking sector generated nearly $792 billion in revenue in 2019, transporting 11.84 billion tons of freight. Key Insights from American Trucking Trends 2020 Report These statistics are part o
Trucking Industry Revenue and Employment in 2019
According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the trucking sector generated nearly $792 billion in revenue in 2019, transporting 11.84 billion tons of freight.
Key Insights from American Trucking Trends 2020 Report
These statistics are part of the highlights presented in the annual American Trucking Trends 2020 report.
Workforce Statistics
The industry employed 7.95 million individuals in trucking-related jobs, reflecting an increase of 140,000 from the previous year. Professional drivers hold 3.6 million of these positions, with women representing 6.7% and minorities making up 41.5% of drivers.
The trucking industry employed 7.95 million people in 2019, according to the American Trucking Associations. The FreightWaves SONAR chart shows a modest rise in employment leading up to late March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic began. (Chart: FreightWaves SONAR/EMPS.TPWH)
Additional Findings from the Report
The report also revealed that trucking revenues constituted 80.4% of the nation’s freight expenditure. Trucks transported 67.7% of the surface freight between the U.S. and Canada, along with 83.1% of cross-border trade with Mexico, amounting to $772 billion in goods. The majority of carriers are small businesses, with 91.3% of fleets operating six or fewer trucks and 97.4% managing 20 or fewer.
The majority of fleets in the trucking industry are small, defined as operating one to six trucks, accounting for 93.1% of all fleets according to data from the American Trucking Associations. The SONAR chart illustrates this upward trend. (Chart: SONAR/FCTCO.USA)
Industry Resilience
ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello noted, “Despite a challenging year… the industry was in good shape entering the global pandemic.”
Related Topics
For more insights, see articles about small trucking companies aiming for recovery via federal loans, trends in driver turnover, and the appreciation for truckers during times of crisis that may lead to long-lasting change.