This article summarizes Canadian trucking figures on employment demand, offered wages, business locations, revenue, and growth rates.
Sourced from reliable resources like Transport Canada, government reports, and industry surveys. Also, check US Trucking Statistics.
How Big is Trucking Industry in Canada?
The Statistics Canada financial table reports C$67.85 billion in total revenue for truck transportation in 2019, with an estimated 134,058 carriers. Statistics Canada counted nearly 152,000 business locations in the truck-transportation subsector in June 2024.
Sources: Library of Parliament, Transport Canada Annual Report, Statista
Revenue Growth
The revenue series covers 2019. In its latest labour-market analysis, Statistics Canada recorded 15,350 transport-truck-driver vacancies in Q2 2024, down 45.7% from the Q2 2022 peak, while the average offered wage was C$27.10 per hour.
| Year | Revenue (in billion CAD) |
|---|---|
| 2023 (Projected) | 41.28 |
| 2022 | 39.55 |
| 2018 | 39.95 |
| 2017 | 38.70 |
| 2016 | 37.87 |
| 2015 | 37.28 |
| 2014 | 38.65 |
| 2013 | 35.77 |
| 2012 | 34.66 |
| 2011 | 30.71 |
| 2010 | 29.24 |
| 2009 | 25.97 |
Is Trucking in High Demand in Canada?
Statistics Canada reported 15,350 vacancies for transport truck drivers in Q2 2024 and nearly 152,000 truck-transportation business locations in June 2024.
Number of Truck Drivers
The 2021 estimate counted 324,200 truck drivers. In Q2 2024, the average offered wage was C$27.10 per hour, rising to C$30.15 for drivers with five to eight years of experience.
Some reasons for the shortage include: Difficulty attracting young people, Poor image of the profession, Competition from other logistics jobs, Difficulty attracting women, and High training costs.
Number of truck drivers has steadily increased:
- 2000: 257,000 drivers.
- 2018: 312,000 drivers (an increase of 55,000 from 2000).
- 2021: 324,200 (highest number on record)
Despite more drivers, large number of positions went unfilled:
- Q1 2016: About 7,500 vacancies
- Q2 2019: Over 22,000 vacancies
- 2021: More than 18,000 vacancies
- 2023: Over 20,000 vacancies
Sources: PwC Report, HC Mag, Trucking HR Report
How Much Do Truck Drivers Make in Canada?
Statistics Canada reported an average offered wage of C$27.10 per hour for transport truck drivers in Q2 2024 and C$30.15 per hour for drivers with five to eight years of experience. These figures describe advertised vacancies.
Entry-Level Drivers
- Earn $21,317 to $61,373 yearly
- New long-haul drivers start around $48,310
Experienced Drivers (5+ years)
- Earn $36,097 to $88,910 yearly
- Top earners can make over $70,000
Highest Paying Cities (hourly rate)
- Grande Prairie, AB: $32.08
- Bolton, ON: $28.84
- Hamilton, ON: $28.76
- Edmonton, AB: $28.69
- Abbotsford, BC: $28.00
Other Factors
- Larger companies pay 35% more than smaller ones
- Drivers may get bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing
Pay Gaps
- From 2000 to 2018, male drivers’ pay rose 11.5% to $45,681 yearly
- In 2016, female drivers earned nearly $10,000 less than males yearly
- 97% of Canadian truck drivers are male
The Biggest Trucking Companies in Canada
TFI International maintains its position as Canada’s biggest fleet with 34,000 trucks, followed by Day & Ross, and Mullen Group.
Canada vs US Trucking Industry Comparison
Key Facts
- Canada and US share the world’s longest land border
- Both are among the three largest countries by land mass
- Canada’s population: ~10% of US population
- Canada’s GDP: 8% of US GDP
Market Size and Economic Impact
| Metric | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Trucking companies | 88,000+ | 929,000+ |
| Truckload market GDP contribution | $17 billion | $185 billion |
| Market size (relative to US) | 9.7% (GDP), 9.4% (carriers) | 100% |
| GDP per carrier | $193,182 | $188,375 |
| Rail contribution to transport GDP | 11% | 6.4% |
Industry Structure
- 99.5% of Canadian trucking companies have less than 100 employees
- Largest Canadian carrier ranks 11th in North America
- 9 of top 100 North American carriers are Canadian
Cross-Border Transportation
- Canada-US freight: 68% by truck, 32% by rail and pipeline
- Mexico-US freight: 83% by truck
Weight Restrictions (in pounds)
| Type | Canada | US |
|---|---|---|
| Federal highways | - | 80,000 |
| B-train, open deck | 92,000 | - |
| Standard two-axle | 52,000 | 45,500 |
| Tri-axle (intra-Canada) | 62,000 | - |
Canadian Truck Production
| Year | Total Trucks | Heavy Trucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.4 million+ | 23,310 |
| 2020 | - | 14,720 |
| 2021 | - | 12,500 |
- Truck sales value increased by 52% from 2014 to 2019, reaching $69 billion CAD
- In 2019, truck production was more than triple car production
Conclusion
The Canadian Trucking Industry is massive and continues to grow. But its growth potential is marred by lack of interest shown by the youth. Given the right training and incentives, it can become a even more lucrative source of employment for Canadians and contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
For an inspiring example of how trucking can be a rewarding career, check out this story.