Chad Boblett, a long-haul truck driver from Lexington, Kentucky, occasionally transports Amazon loads, despite their lower pay compared to his other assignments. He appreciates Amazon’s daily rate compensation model, which contrasts with the traditional per-mile pay structure used by most trucking companies. An internal document reviewed by Business Insider verified this payment method and provided details on Amazon’s driver compensation.
“I find it innovative,” Boblett stated to Business Insider. “I would advise other major carriers to consider this approach.”
While many truckers refuse to work with Amazon due to its below-industry-average pay—approximately 18% lower as reported by a June FreightWaves study—the daily pay structure could offer drivers a more consistent minimum wage, a benefit that has been lacking since the 1930s.
Understanding Daily Pay Structure
According to the internal document, Amazon offers three categories of pay for truck drivers: solo1, solo2, and team. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed this tiered structure, explaining that it has been implemented for two years within their extensive network of line-haul service partners, which have handled millions of loads globally.
The solo1 category compensates drivers between $600 and $800 per day, with the highest rates available in Bradley International Airport, Connecticut, and Philadelphia, while lower rates are seen in locations like Miami and Jacksonville. Under federal law, truck drivers can work up to 14 hours a day, making several deliveries before taking a required 10-hour rest back at their home bases.
The solo2 classification requires drivers to spend their mandatory rest breaks outside their base cities, often in a sleeper cab. Compensation in this tier ranges from $1,360 to $1,750 for two days of driving, with the best rates in Phoenix and Reno, Nevada, while Charlotte, North Carolina offers the lowest. The team category allows two drivers to alternate shifts, earning between $7,545 and $10,000 for multiple days of work, split between them.
Mixed Reactions from Truck Drivers
Despite the innovative pay structure, dissatisfaction exists among drivers. A truck-fleet owner from New Jersey, wishing to remain anonymous, noted that the shift to a daily pay system reduced his earnings. “They are quite cunning and consistently looking to cut costs,” he asserted.
Many trucking firms refuse to partner with Amazon, with Daniel Lacroix, a director at a regional trucking company, stating that the rates presented were uncompetitive, reflecting the sentiment that Amazon’s offers can often be perceived as “ridiculous.”
