The trucking industry is in the midst of a generational and structural transition. According to the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) July 2025 report, Evolving Truck Driver Demographics, changes in age, gender, diversity, and employment structure are reshaping the driver workforce.
Amid these shifts, small carriers and one-truck operations are emerging as the true backbone of U.S. freight. In fact, more than half of all fleets now consist of a single truck — a quiet but decisive shift away from mega-carriers toward decentralized, owner-operated businesses.
Key Findings from ATRI’s Report
Truck Driver Age and Retirement Trends
The average age of truck drivers has risen from 42 years in 1995 to 47 in 2024, largely driven by accelerated baby boomer retirements, and low youth inflows.
Younger generations are entering the industry at much lower rates. Millennials (born 1981–1995) now make up just 30.7% of drivers, while Gen Z (1996–2010) accounts for only 7.5%—despite both generations constituting 52.6% of the U.S. labor force in 2023.
Women in Trucking: Slow but Steady Growth
Women account for just 8% of truck drivers in 2024, marking a gradual rise from 4% in 1995, but still far below their 47.1% share of the overall U.S. labor force. Among female CDL holders, only 37% have a Class A license, which is required for long-haul operations.
Research from the Women In Trucking (WIT) Index highlights persistent barriers related to safety concerns, facility access, and scheduling conflicts, which contribute to the persistently low representation.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity Among Drivers
White drivers now make up 63% of the trucking workforce, down from 77% in 2014. Meanwhile, representation of Black drivers has risen from 15% to 23%, Hispanic from 19% to 23%, and Asian from 2% to 4% over the same period.
Education and Training
Only 6% of drivers hold a bachelor’s degree, compared to 38% of the U.S. workforce. Trucking continues to attract workers with limited formal education, underscoring opportunities for upskilling and professional training.
The Rising Tide of One-Truck Fleets
Perhaps the most striking trend identified in ATRI’s 2025 report is the rise of single-truck and owner-operated businesses. Today, 54.4% of all U.S. fleets consist of just one truck, up 50.6% from a decade ago. This signals a decisive shift away from dominance by mega-carriers and toward a more decentralized freight system.
The share of CDL holders running one-truck operations grew from 6.2% in 2016 to 7.1% in 2025, while employment in large fleets of 100 or more trucks fell from 52.1% to 46.1% over the same period.
Today, more than 500,000 independent operators are on the road, an increase of 67% since 2003. This decentralization is reshaping the industry, challenging traditional fleets, and redefining how carriers recruit and retain drivers.
For small carriers, this shift is an opportunity: their size allows them to move faster, adapt to driver needs, and build closer relationships with employees compared to larger fleets where drivers may feel like just a number.
What These Trends Mean for Small Carriers
The demographic changes outlined by ATRI don’t affect all carriers equally. For small fleets and independent operators, the stakes are higher. With fewer resources, they feel workforce pressures more acutely. But, they also have the ability to adapt.
- Driver turnover hits harder: With industry-wide long-haul turnover at 94%, losing even one driver can threaten a small fleet’s survival. Building loyalty is mission-critical.
- Older drivers create risk: A retirement in a one- or three-truck company can halt operations. Small carriers must aggressively recruit younger drivers.
- Diversity as an opportunity: Small fleets embedded in local communities can lead the charge in recruiting women and minority drivers by offering flexible schedules, safer conditions, and respect.
- Training as a competitive edge: Investment in mentorship and CDL tuition can differentiate small carriers and build loyalty where larger fleets struggle.
Summar: A Partner for Small Carriers
While demographic shifts bring challenges, they also create new opportunities — if small carriers have the resources to adapt. That’s where Summar Financial comes in.
At Summar, we’ve partnered with thousands of independent operators and small trucking companies to help them stabilize cash flow, pay drivers on time, and invest in growth. Our factoring solutions give carriers access to their money within 24 hours, so they can keep their operation running.
As the ATRI report shows, the future of trucking is small, decentralized, and diverse. With Summar as your partner, you can focus on growth while we keep your cash flow steady. Let’s talk today.