This Walmart Job Now Starts at up to $110K

For years, people groused about low pay at Walmart. But now, you can make up to $110,000 as a starting employee when you drive one of the retailer’s trucks.

Walmart announced Thursday that those who join the Walmart Private Fleet can make that much money during their first year. And after that, you can make even more, depending on factors such as location and how long you have been with the company.

Currently, about 12,000 workers are part of the Walmart fleet. In an attempt to boost the number of drivers, Walmart has started the Walmart Private Fleet Development Program, which is part of the retailer’s Live Better U (LBU) education program.

Walmart workers who enroll in the fleet development program can earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in 12 weeks. According to Walmart:

“At the end of the classroom portion of the training, associates graduate with their CDL through LBU, months of real-world experience under trained instructors, and a dedicated mentor to help them smoothly transition into their new role. In lieu of a graduation cap, they get something just as distinguished: a Walmart Private Fleet shirt and trucker cap.”

Walmart says the potential for its truckers to earn up to $110,000 in the first year far outstrips what other employers offer. Citing figures from Glassdoor, Walmart contends that the average long-haul truck driver makes about $56,500 a year.

You can apply to drive for Walmart at drive4walmart.com.

Walmart’s goal of hiring and training more new drivers comes at a time when companies are struggling to get their products to market due to supply chain woes. A shortage of truckers has exacerbated the problem.

According to the American Trucking Association, the deficit reached a record high of 80,000 truck drivers in 2021.

Trucks move 72% of the freight in the U.S. by value — $13.7 trillion worth — according to federal data.