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Best Trucking Bookkeeping Services

Let’s set the record straight—bookkeeping is not some behind-the-scenes admin task you push off until tax season. In trucking, your books are your compass. Without clean, organized, and trucking-specific financials, you’re not just driving blind—you’re making decisions that could sink your business. I’ve seen too many good carriers fall apart not because of bad freight, but because they didn’t know their numbers.

Here’s the hard truth: if you’re running a trucking company and you don’t know your cost per mile, your fixed versus variable expenses, or how much profit you’re making per truck—then it’s only a matter of time before the wheels fall off. And most of the time, the problem starts with your bookkeeping partner.

Too many so-called “professionals” will take your money and give you QuickBooks spreadsheets that don’t even break out fuel, tolls, or truck payments the right way. They don’t understand that running authority is different from being leased on. They can’t tell a 2290 from a 941, and when it comes to IFTA—they’re lost.

That’s why choosing the right trucking bookkeeping service is non-negotiable. You don’t just need someone who does books. You need someone who understands the business of trucking inside and out—and builds your finances like your business depends on it. Because it does.

Why Most Bookkeeping Services Fail Trucking Businesses

Let’s be blunt—most traditional bookkeeping services are built for restaurants, salons, or local retail. Not for a cash-heavy, regulation-strangled, asset-dependent industry like trucking.

Your average bookkeeper doesn’t understand mileage-based cost structures. They don’t know how to categorize fuel card advances. They can’t explain what line haul revenue is versus FSC. And when you ask them for a clean P&L broken down by unit, they act like you’re asking for a rocket launch.

The result? You get monthly reports that look nice but mean nothing. Your truck payments get coded as “loan liability” but don’t show up on your operating costs. Your maintenance gets lumped in with personal expenses. And when tax season rolls around, you’re stuck scrambling, paying too much, or worse—getting flagged in an audit.

You need more than a paper pusher. You need a strategic partner.

What Real Trucking Bookkeeping Looks Like

A true trucking-focused bookkeeping service should give you financial clarity—not just compliance. They should hand you reports that tell you:

  • How much each truck is actually making or losing
  • Your true cost per mile, including fixed and variable
  • Cash flow forecasts so you’re not blindsided by insurance or IRP
  • Proper fuel and maintenance tracking to inform your trade-in cycles
  • Up-to-date IFTA calculations and mileage logs
  • Accurate P&Ls that show freight revenue, fuel surcharge, accessorials, and deductions

And most importantly, they should help you understand what the numbers mean. It’s not about dumping spreadsheets in your inbox—it’s about showing you which loads, lanes, and customers are actually profitable. It’s about helping you answer questions like:

  • Can I afford to add another truck?
  • Should I refinance this equipment or hold off?
  • Am I running too much deadhead in certain markets?
  • Where can I trim overhead without cutting into operations?

Bookkeeping should help you run your business better—not just file taxes.

Top Trucking Bookkeeping Services That Actually Get It

Let’s walk through the players who are actually worth your time and money. These aren’t generalists. These are firms that live and breathe trucking. They understand compliance. They understand cost-per-mile. And most importantly—they know what it’s like to operate a small fleet in today’s market.

1. TruckersBookkeeping.com

Best for: Owner-Operators and small fleets just getting started
Why it works: TruckersBookkeeping.com is purpose-built for trucking. They don’t try to be everything to everyone—they focus on helping drivers and small carriers stay financially organized and DOT compliant. From day one, they’re collecting your settlement statements, your ELD reports, and your fuel receipts.

They know how to build a chart of accounts that works for trucking. Not something they copied from a bakery or dry cleaner. Their team is proactive, communicative, and familiar with the common traps most small carriers fall into—like mixing personal and business expenses or misclassifying truck leases.

Standout Features:

  • Monthly cost-per-mile analysis
  • Driver pay tracking
  • Full IFTA and 2290 support
  • DOT compliance tie-in
  • Fixed and variable cost breakdowns

Who it’s for: If you’re in year 1–3 of your business and need structure, this is a solid place to start. Simple, clean, trucking-focused.

2. Rigbooks

Best for: Carriers with multiple trucks who want to manage loads and books in one place
Why it works: Rigbooks isn’t just bookkeeping—it’s a simple TMS (transportation management system) with built-in accounting features that are trucking-specific. If you’re looking for a way to log your loads, calculate profitability, track expenses, and generate reports without jumping between five systems, Rigbooks brings it all under one roof.

What sets them apart is how seamlessly they track cost-per-load and cost-per-mile in real time. You can see what a particular customer is really worth to your business—not just what the gross rate says.

Standout Features:

  • Per-load profitability tracking
  • Integrated fuel and expense logging
  • Clean, no-frills interface
  • Great for owner-operators adding trucks

Who it’s for: If you’ve got 2–10 trucks and want more control over your numbers and dispatching without a full-blown TMS, Rigbooks bridges the gap.

3. Equinox Owner-Operator Solutions

Best for: Owner-operators and S-corp carriers who want financial strategy

Why it works: Equinox combines bookkeeping with tax strategy and business consulting—all tailored to the trucking industry. They’re one of the few firms that will actually walk you through S-corp setups, per diem optimization, and how to pay yourself properly.

They’re built around educating the driver. That means explaining deductions, breaking down reports, and helping you structure your entity in a way that supports long-term growth and protects you during audits.

Standout Features:

  • S-corp optimization and payroll
  • Tax coaching and entity structuring
  • Bookkeeping reports built for trucking
  • Monthly consultations

Who it’s for: If you’re a serious owner-operator looking to maximize take-home pay while staying audit-proof, Equinox gives you both numbers and strategy.

4. ATBS (American Truck Business Services)

Best for: Leased-on owner-operators who want plug-and-play support
Why it works: ATBS has been in the trucking bookkeeping game for over 25 years. They’ve served tens of thousands of owner-operators and understand the unique needs of leased drivers. If you’re running under someone else’s authority, but still want visibility and tax prep support, ATBS gives you structure without the learning curve.

They provide monthly reports, tax preparation, business coaching, and even retirement planning services—all trucking-specific.

Standout Features:

  • Customized profit plans
  • Real-time bookkeeping dashboard
  • Quarterly tax estimates and filing
  • Dedicated tax advisor

Who it’s for: Perfect if you’re leased on, focused on staying organized, and want a full-service partner that doesn’t require you to babysit the process.

5. SmartHop with Bookkeeping Add-On

Best for: Tech-savvy fleets using dispatch automation
Why it works: If you’re already dispatching through SmartHop or using their fuel card, their bookkeeping add-on integrates your load data, fuel expenses, and settlement info into clean reports. While it’s not as hands-on as a full bookkeeping firm, it’s a great fit for tech-forward carriers who want automation and insight.

Standout Features:

  • Built-in fuel and load data sync
  • Real-time margin tracking
  • Integrated TMS + financial dashboard

Who it’s for: Fleets who want to scale using automation tools but still need visibility into their numbers.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

If you’re shopping around, don’t get fooled by polished websites or flat rates. Here’s what to avoid:

  • Generic firms with no trucking experience
     If they don’t know what IFTA is or how to categorize lumper fees, they’re not ready for your business.
  • Delayed reporting
     If your P&L takes two months to arrive, you’re already behind the curve. Monthly reports should land fast and be actionable.
  • No cost-per-mile tracking
     If they can’t show you what each mile is costing you, they’re just filling out forms—not helping you run a smarter business.
  • No audit support
     A good bookkeeping service helps you prepare and defend. Ask upfront how they handle audits and lender documentation.
  • They only care during tax season
     If they ghost you nine months out of the year, they’re not invested in your success.

What to Do Next

Here’s the move—don’t wait until Q4 or tax season to clean up your books. If you’re serious about running your business like a business, start now.

Step 1: Evaluate your current setup
 Can you see a current P&L? Do you know your cost per mile? Are your business and personal finances separate? If not, you’ve got gaps.

Step 2: Pick a service that fits your operation
 Don’t just go with the cheapest. Go with the one that fits your fleet size, growth goals, and knowledge level. A good bookkeeper should educate you—not keep you in the dark.

Step 3: Build a rhythm
 You should be looking at financials monthly. If you’re not, that’s the first thing to fix. Set a recurring meeting to go over the books and make strategic decisions.

Final Word

Bookkeeping is not optional—it’s foundational. You can’t grow your fleet, bid confidently on lanes, or prepare for lending opportunities if you don’t know your numbers inside and out.

The right trucking bookkeeping partner gives you more than clean records. They give you clarity. They help you stop guessing. They help you scale.

So stop flying blind. Stop waiting for tax season to find out whether you’re profitable. Get proactive. Get specific. And partner with someone who actually knows what it takes to keep a trucking business running profitably—not just legally.

Because in this industry, good data isn’t a luxury—it’s your survival plan.

FAQS

1. Why do trucking companies need specialized bookkeeping services, as opposed to general accounting? Trucking companies face unique financial challenges and regulatory requirements, such as fluctuating fuel costs, per diem deductions, equipment depreciation, and complex tax compliance like IFTA. Specialized trucking bookkeeping services understand these nuances, ensuring accurate record-keeping, maximizing deductions, and providing insights tailored to the transportation industry that general accounting services might miss.

2. What specific financial tasks can trucking bookkeeping services help me with? Trucking bookkeeping services typically handle a wide range of tasks, including managing accounts receivable and payable, processing payroll for drivers, tracking fuel and maintenance expenses, preparing IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) reports, managing asset depreciation, reconciling bank statements, and generating financial reports like profit & loss statements. They can also assist with tax preparation and ensure compliance with various trucking regulations.

3. How can professional bookkeeping services help me stay compliant with IFTA and other trucking regulations? Professional trucking bookkeeping services are well-versed in IFTA requirements, which involve tracking mileage and fuel purchases across multiple jurisdictions. They use specialized software and processes to accurately calculate and prepare your quarterly IFTA reports, reducing the risk of errors, penalties, and audits. They also stay updated on other industry-specific regulations (like HVUT or DOT compliance) to ensure your business remains in good standing.

Truckstop Unveils Private Loads: streamlining freight matching for Brokers and Carriers

Truckstop.com announced Wednesday the launch of Truckstop Private Loads, a new feature allowing freight brokers to efficiently engage their pre-vetted carrier networks with the same trust and security available on the company’s public load board. The solution addresses growing market challenges by centralizing load management and strengthening broker-carrier relationships.

“We understand the daily pressures brokers face to find trusted capacity quickly and the frustration and lost time carriers experience switching between public and private loads,” said Scott Moscrip, founder and CEO of Truckstop.com, in a press release. “By bringing private and public loads together, we’re not just adding a feature; we’re delivering a critical solution that enhances trust, boosts efficiency, and drives profitability for everyone in the freight ecosystem, right when they need it most.”

For freight brokers, the platform provides a high-reach channel to connect with pre-vetted carriers who are already actively seeking freight. The system allows brokers to seamlessly waterfall these loads to Truckstop’s public load board of verified carriers when necessary, expanding their network to ensure load coverage.

Carriers benefit from the consolidation of private and public loads in one location, eliminating the inefficiencies of juggling emails, phone calls, and multiple load boards. This centralization allows carriers to quickly identify, compare, and secure desirable loads while strengthening their relationships with brokers.

The feature arrives as the freight industry confronts challenges, including market volatility, intense competition, and fraud threats. Truckstop notes that Private Loads addresses these issues by creating a more secure environment where brokers can build stronger relationships with trusted carriers.

Sun Country to operate 20 Amazon cargo jets by peak season

A two-toned blue Amazon Prime Air cargo jets takes off into a blue sky as seen from below.

Cargo flight hours at Sun Country Airlines were slightly lower than expected during the second quarter because of extra procedures needed to commission additional freighters supplied by Amazon, but all the aircraft will be available to haul packages in time for peak shipping season, executives said Friday.

Minneapolis-based Sun Country (NASDAQ: SNCY) grew its cargo fleet by three aircraft during the quarter, driving up cargo revenue by 37% year over year to $35 million, according to earnings reported Thursday.

Five of eight Boeing 737-800 converted freighters transferred by Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) from previous contractor Atlas Air are now in service with Sun Country. The company plans for the remaining three aircraft to enter service by the end of August, but the timeline could slip to late September if there are further delays integrating new aircraft into the operating fleet, management said during an earnings presentation.

Aircraft utilization increased 9.5% during the quarter. That was lower than expected because the timing of aircraft deliveries was slightly thrown off by extra steps necessary to absorb the used 737-800s into the fleet. CEO Jude Bricker said on the first-quarter call on May 5 that Sun Country was experiencing some difficulties getting parts for maintenance checks, reconciling incomplete maintenance records, and fulfilling other regulatory requirements necessary to add aircraft to the operating certificate.

Bringing aircraft into a certificated airline’s fleet involves many steps to meet safety, regulatory and operational requirements, as well as company standards. The process includes reviewing the maintenance history; conducting thorough inspections of the engines, systems and airframe; updating operational manuals; training pilots, technicians and ground personnel; customization; and obtaining approval from civil aviation authorities. 

“We’re taking airplanes, doing work to get them ready for service. They’re entering service later than we expected, and by virtue of that happening, the fleet isn’t as committed [to a full Amazon schedule] because we want to make sure we’re executing well. And so it’s just taking a little bit longer to get the terminal velocity on that fleet,” Bricker said Friday.

The fourth quarter is traditionally the busiest season for online retailers and parcel carriers, including Amazon. 

Sun Country has been supporting Amazon’s parcel distribution network with a dozen 737-800 freighters since 2020. By September, the airline will have 20 aircraft in its cargo fleet. Chargeable hours to Amazon will be up 40% to 50% in the third quarter, said Bill Trousdale, the interim chief financial officer. 

The company, which also operates scheduled passenger service to leisure destinations and group charter flights, has repeatedly said that the additional aircraft along with rate increases in the Amazon contract, will double cargo revenue to about $215 million per year.

Sun Country enjoys an annual rate escalator in its existing contract and the contract for the eight new aircraft, which is kicking in now, starts at a higher rate. 

The airline has temporarily reduced scheduled passenger flights this year to ensure there are adequate pilots and resources for a smooth expansion of the Amazon business. It offset the lag in expected cargo flights during the quarter with increased charter business.

Overall, Sun Country’s hybrid business model delivered a twelfth consecutive profitable quarter, with adjusted earnings per share of 14 cents and record second-quarter revenue of $264 million, beating estimates. Adjusted operating income was $18 million, with a margin of 6.8%.

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com.

Sun Country faces slight delays integrating additional Amazon cargo jets

US container ports warn against Trump budget cuts

Pier 300 Port of Los Angeles

WASHINGTON — Executives from the largest US container and energy ports that had been set to receive close to $330 million this year for maintaining key infrastructure are warning Congress not to accept the Trump administration’s plan to cancel the money.

In a letter sent Thursday to lawmakers responsible for appropriating the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and 22 port directors asked that they restore requirements agreed to by Congress in 2020 – but which the administration has stripped from its FY25 and FY26 budgets – that allow “donor” ports, which typically include large container ports, along with ports that specialize in energy cargo, to receive a more equitable share of the trust fund as well as to be able to use it for projects other than harbor maintenance.

Donor and energy ports historically have contributed considerably more to the HMTF than they get back in project revenue. 

In FY24, approximately $332 million was awarded to such ports to carry out “expanded use” projects across the country.

“Unfortunately, the Administration opted to ignore Congressional intent … when making spending allocations of HMTF funding” for FY25, the letter stated. “Donor and energy ports, which were expecting to receive nearly $330 million … ultimately received no funding for this program. Similarly, the FY26 budget request includes no funding” to carry out the new funding provisions approved by Congress, the letter states.

“Ports need consistent and predictable funding to plan and execute the billions in additional expanded-use projects in their pipelines,” the port directors assert. “These projects are critical to supporting a robust and resilient supply chain infrastructure as well as our economic, energy, and national security.”

During a water resources budget hearing in June, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., called it “troubling” that the Trump administration believes it’s not the federal government’s responsibility to provide the funding “even though that is one of the explicit purposes Congress passed into law,” she said. “That is really unacceptable.”

At the hearing, Murray asked Lee Forsgren, acting assistant secretary for the U.S. Army’s civil works division, which is responsible for overseeing the HMTF, if he would commit to ensure donor ports receive their full share from the fund.

“I will commit to working to ensure that the [HMTF] is used to the maximum extent it possibly can,” Forsgren responded. “We understand the [HMTF] is the backbone of the commercial navigation system for our ports and that system has to be able to be functional across all of the nation’s ports. 

“But I will say,” he added, “there needs to be a primary focus on the principal federal responsibility which is the mainline channels.”

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.

Running on Ice: The cold chain goes to space

NASA is pushing the boundaries of cryogenic technology with a groundbreaking test at its Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Dubbed “Stay Cool: NASA Tests Innovative Technique for Super Cold Fuel Storage,” the project aims to achieve zero‑boiloff storage of liquid hydrogen by deploying a novel two‑stage active cooling system, offering a lifeline to future long‑duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The challenge is deceptively simple: keep liquid hydrogen boiling at roughly −424 °F. Cold long enough to prevent boiloff caused by solar heating, spacecraft exhaust, and onboard systems. The NASA article explains, “In the vacuum of space, where temperatures can plunge to minus 455 degrees Fahrenheit, it might seem like keeping things cold would be easy. But the reality is more complex for preserving ultra‑cold fluid propellants.” 

To combat this, NASA engineers have developed a “tube‑on‑tank” method, in which chilled helium circulates through tubes affixed directly to the outer wall of the propellant tank. A multi‑layer insulation blanket, including a thin aluminum heat shield, surrounds the tank; a second layer of helium tubing carrying fluid at about −298 °F intercepts incoming heat before it reaches the tank, reducing the load on the inner system.

“Technologies for reducing propellant loss must be implemented for successful long‑duration missions to deep space like the Moon and Mars,” said Kathy Henkel, acting manager of NASA’s Cryogenic Fluid Management Portfolio Project. “Two‑stage cooling prevents propellant loss and successfully allows for long‑term storage of propellants whether in transit or on the surface of a planetary body.” 

The test hardware entered a vacuum chamber in early June and is undergoing a 90‑day test campaign slated to conclude in September. If successful, this technology could eliminate the need to vent cryogenic propellants during extended missions.

Keep up with the full newsletter by subscribing to Running on Ice

California trucking company closes after 40 years in business

Fresno, California-based drayage trucking company TGS Transportation has closed.

The company announced Thursday that it would be closing its operations effective that same day, according to a letter posted on LinkedIn by TGS President Peter Schneider.

In the letter addressed to vendor partners and industry friends, TGS stated that the decision to close was difficult and “influenced by the challenging market conditions facing the industry.” The letter was signed by Peter, CEO Timothy Schneider and Chief Operating Officer Robert Loya.

“To Our Valued Customers: We extend our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering trust and partnership over the past 40 years,” TGS’ letter stated. “The relationships and friendships forged have been the foundation of our success.”

The letter also thanked employees for their hard work and dedication over the last year and a half – a period which has been especially challenging for the company. It also hinted at members of its team continuing to serve the industry “under a new flag.”

TGS was founded by Timothy on May 1, 1985, according to the company’s website. His son Peter joined the company in 1993.

“We will be sharing more detailed information about these new opportunities and how you can continue to receive exceptional service in the very near future,” TGS continued.

According to SAFER data, TGS carried general freight, metal sheets, building materials, large machinery, liquids and gasses, intermodal containers, chemicals, paper products and farm supplies.

The company also carried fresh produce, grain, meat, dry bulk commodities, refrigerated food and beverages. TGS employed 20 drivers and operated 20 power units.

TGS Transportation’s closure comes a little over a year after fellow California trucking company Tony’s Express ceased operations after 70 years in business citing market challenges.

Trump sets new tariffs on global trade partners, stock market drops

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday steep tariffs on exports from dozens of U.S. trade partners that have not confirmed a trade pact in advance of a Friday deadline.

About 40 countries that the U.S. runs a trade deficit will now face a minimum 15% duty rate on exports. 

Some U.S. trade partners will be hit with even steeper rates, such as 50% for goods from Brazil, 39% for Switzerland, 35% for Canada, 25% for India and 20% for Taiwan, according to a presidential executive order.

U.S. stocks were sinking in early trading on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping around 1.6%, the S&P 500 down 1.73%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite falling 2.33% as of 10 a.m. EST. 

The latest round of “reciprocal” import tariff rates will start around Aug. 7, White House officials said.

Trump, in a phone interview with NBC News following the order, said he would be open to more trade negotiations, but it was “too late” for other nations to avoid tariffs set to kick by next week, CNBC reported.

“It doesn’t mean that somebody doesn’t come along in four weeks and say we can make some kind of a deal,” Trump said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he was “disappointed” by the increased tariff on Canadian goods shipped to the U.S.

“While the Canadian government is disappointed by this action, we remain committed to the [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], which is the world’s second-largest free trade agreement by trading volume,” Carney said in a statement posted on social media.

“While we will continue to negotiate with the United States on our trading relationship, the Canadian government is laser focused on what we can control: building Canada strong.”

Canada ranked No. 2 for trade with the U.S. in May at $57.6 billion. Exports from Canada to the U.S. that could be impacted by the tariffs include aluminium, steel, lumber, cars and auto parts.

Goods that are covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will not be affected by tariffs, according to authorities in Canada and the U.S.

David French, executive vice president of government relations at the National Retail Federation, said tariffs are taxes that are eventually passed onto consumers.

“We encourage the administration to negotiate binding trade agreements that truly open markets by lowering tariffs, not raising them,” French said in a news release. “Tariffs are taxes paid by U.S. importers and are eventually passed along to U.S. consumers. These higher tariffs will hurt Americans, including consumers, retailers and their employees, and manufacturers, because the direct result of tariffs will be higher prices, decreased hiring, fewer capital expenditures and slower innovation.”

Mike Short, president of global forwarding at C.H. Robinson, said the recent surge in U.S. trade and tariff policies could create a lot of uncertainty for shippers.

“Companies just experienced a very concentrated burst of trade policy activity and most of them have exceptions and nuances,” Short said. “Safe to say our customs team is very busy. Everyone is wanting to understand how these new impacts affect them and we’re working with our customers to educate them not only on their impacts but also provide solutions that could help them reduce exposure.”

The latest tariff increases and the Trump administration’s recent suspension of de minimis exemptions for low value imports will further reshape supply chain strategy, according to Short.

“Tariffs have reshaped how companies approach supply chain planning and global sourcing. The conversation has evolved beyond a simple ‘China +1’ or ‘+2’ diversification model,” Short said.

“What we’re seeing now is a more intentional, tiered sourcing hierarchy that prioritizes geopolitical stability, business continuity, and cost efficiency. We’re working closely with customers to reassess their entire supply chain architecture — from sourcing origins to downstream logistics, port selection, and even last-mile delivery.”

Trucking jobs bucked the tide, rising in July; warehouse employment is plummeting

In a monthly employment report that was mostly considered disappointing in its estimate of jobs as a whole, the data for truck transportation was solidly positive.

Seasonally adjusted truck transportation jobs rose 3,600 jobs to 1,523,300 jobs, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Standards Friday.

Truck transportation jobs in July were 6,600 jobs more than a year earlier. In the interim, more months showed a decline in truck transportation jobs than an increase. But two months in particular offset that: the just-released July numbers, and the 8,000 jobs reported as added for March. Those two months alone accounted for more than the total increase over the last 12 months. 

The biggest transportation-related shift in the latest report came in the category of warehouse jobs. They took a big hit, down 6,400 jobs after a large 12,000 jobs downward revision for June. 

What is striking about the warehouse jobs numbers is that at 1,818,300 jobs, they are at a level that has not been this low since October 2021, when the industry was ramping up month after month to deal with the surge in freight demand following the pandemic. October 2021 jobs were 1,797,600 jobs. Every month after that exceeded the figures for July reported Friday. 

The BLS data does not include independent owner operators. And the reports of higher employment are coming even as reports of company closures continue to roll in. 

Rates still not covering costs

Mazan Danaf, an economic analyst with Uber Freight (NYSE: UBER) said in an email to FreightWaves that Uber Freight estimates are that “current trucking operating costs still exceed spot rates by about 20% and even slightly surpass contract rates. This suggests that carrier margins are largely disappearing.” 

The up and down nature of recent reports on truck transportation employment was noted by David Spencer, director of business intelligence at Arrive Logistics.

“From month to month we are seeing swings back and forth, from positive to negative and back,” Spencer said in an email to FreightWaves. “The inconsistent trends point to both the challenges and opportunity that the trade war and its downstream effects is having on trucking. For many, three years of poor rate conditions have eroded profits made throughout the pandemic and have limited options for how carriers can adjust to survive in today’s market.”

Overall, a depressing report

The bleakness of the report in general was noted by independent economist Aaron Terrazas. He noted that not only were the employment numbers down for July, but there were significant downward revisions for prior months. 

“Combined with inflation data from earlier this week, we are now facing the contradictory trends many economists fretted over earlier this year — a visible slowdown in the job market and an acceleration in inflation — sharpening the edge of the Fed’s next interest rate decision,” Terrazas said in an email to FreightWaves. “A single data point is not a trend, and we’ll have another jobs report before the Fed meets next. But today’s BLS data raise the stakes for both hiring and pricing decisions in August.”

Terrazas also cited two other numbers in the report. The new entrant share of those who are unemployed was 13.4%, the highest since April 1988. The share of the unemployed who have been out of work for 15+ weeks was 40.9%, a number not seen since the end of 2021 when the economy was shaking off the impact of the pandemic.

In other data from the monthly report:

  • After breaking through the $31/hour level in May, the average hourly wage of non-supervisory and production truck transportation employees–which would include drivers–fell back slightly. That data has a one-month lag from the general employment number. It came in at $31.04 in June, down from $31.09 a month earlier. But it has been on an upward trend even as the overall Producer Price Index for truck transportation, released in the first 10-15 days of the month, has been remarkably stable.
  • There was no movement in rail employment numbers. There were 153,200 workers employed in that sector in July. It was the same as June, though the initial June figure was revised down 700 jobs. The final May number was 153,400 jobs. But the number employed is 2,800 jobs less than a year earlier. 

More articles by John Kingston

Averitt pay increase could be a sign of some acceleration in driver wages

Sequential numbers at diversified trucking operator TFI International may mark a turnaround

At C.H. Robinson, improved profitability, productivity and a lot fewer workers

White Paper: State of the Industry – August 2025

The August 2025 “State of the Industry Report” — presented in affiliation with Ryder — shares an in-depth overview across the trucking, maritime and intermodal markets, as well as what to expect in the coming weeks. The data contained within the report provides breakdowns of capacity, volumes and rates.

In this report, you will find:

  • In the absence of geopolitical risk and a U.S.-China trade deal, ocean spot rates and bookings have tumbled in recent weeks.
  • Truckload demand is on an unseasonal decline, yet tender rejections and carrier rates suggest a nationwide tightening of capacity.
  • The rail industry is abuzz with merger speculation, which could exacerbate existing issues such as labor tensions and shipper-unfriendly operational decisions.
  • Macroeconomic data is wavering and has fallen to meet depressed sentiment among consumers, manufacturers and homebuilders.
  • The Federal Open Market Committee is unlikely to be persuaded by this concerning weakness until its September meeting, however, citing a stable (though arguably precarious) job market.

Download the complimentary report today to access the full insights.

Former U.S. shipping czar Sola joins D.C. lobby firm

Former Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Louis Sola has joined Washington lobby firm Thorn Run Partners as a partner.

Sola, who built a successful mega-yacht business before entering politics, was a Trump appointee to the FMC in 2018. He was re-appointed by President Joe Biden in 2024, then named by Trump to serve as chairman in 2025 before stepping down in June after a holdover period from his expired term.

The FMC oversees and enforces policy governing U.S. international ocean trade, including container shipping lines, most of which are based outside the U.S., as well as port terminal operators.

As FMC chairman, Sola led efforts during the Covid pandemic to safely resume cruise operations, Thorn Run said in a release, and was a strong advocate for development of liquefied natural gas fuel resources in ports. The release also said Sola was among the first federal officials to formally expose foreign influence in Latin American maritime infrastructure.

An Army veteran and counter-intelligence officer, at the FMC Sola helped defend U.S. national security interests against strategic encroachment at global shipping chokepoints.

Sola founded Evermarine, a global yacht and ship brokerage, and later consulted for the Inter-American Development Bank on Latin American port and infrastructure finance.

The lobby firm said Sola’s wide-ranging expertise will help it continue to expand its capabilities across key sectors.

“Lou Sola will add a unique and important capability to our firm,” said TRP Co-Founder Chris Lamond, in the release. “His experience and extensive network of relationships in the area of maritime trade and tariff policy will help us address a growing area of client need.”

“We are excited at the prospect of bolstering our firm’s offerings in such an important area as international trade,” said TRP Co-Founder Andrew Rosenberg, also in the statement. “Coupled with our current team of experts, Lou is going to instantly establish TRP as the leader in maritime and trade lobbying.”

Thorn Run has offices in Washington, Portland, Ore., and Los Angeles.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Why a French shipping magnate with US ties is interested in China-owned port terminals 

Rail deal will open new markets for top US container port 

Activist investor may target CSX, citing slumping financial performance

While shippers cite merger concerns, rival railroad looks instead to ‘collaborations’