According to the Wall Street Journal, logistics and freight transport companies added 18,700 jobs in May in order to keep up with demand in the U.S. shipping markets.
The surge helped the transportation and warehousing sector add 73,000 new jobs since the start of the year, the strongest annual hiring pace for logistics-focused payrolls in three years, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, warehousing and trucking fleets gained 6,600 new hires from April to May while parcel-carrying courier companies added 4,800 jobs.
In May, the U.S. added 223,000 jobs, lowering the unemployment rate to 3.8 percent, the lowest level since 2000.
As consumers continue to turn to online platforms for their shopping needs, logistics infrastructures will need more workers. However, due to surging fuel prices and a continued shortage of drivers, consumer-goods and other companies are forced to raise prices of their products due to increasing freight costs.
According to DAT Solutions LLC, there are seven loads available on its spot market for every truck.
Freight companies across the country are trying to appeal to new drivers by offering more "time at home" benefits, higher pay and bonuses. Some businesses are even creating lounges at their facilities for truckers to relax in while their truck gets loaded so that they'll stick with the job.
