GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Freight Industry Statistics

Freight industry embraces DEI; boosts performance, innovation, and workforce retention.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Engagement surveys show that organizations with active DEI efforts have 15% higher employee engagement scores, boosting productivity

Statistic 2

Female drivers tend to have higher retention rates when companies foster inclusive work environments, with some reporting 15% higher retention

Statistic 3

Women make up approximately 22% of the trucking industry workforce

Statistic 4

Minority employment in the freight industry accounts for around 28%

Statistic 5

Only about 13% of logistics managers are women

Statistic 6

The percentage of African Americans employed in the freight industry is approximately 15%

Statistic 7

Only 5% of senior leadership in the freight industry are women of color, pointing to significant representation gaps

Statistic 8

The median income for women in trucking is about 25% lower than for men, illustrating gender-based wage disparities

Statistic 9

Only 8% of executive roles in freight companies are held by women

Statistic 10

In terms of safety and health, workplaces with diverse leadership report 25% fewer accidents, emphasizing the importance of inclusive leadership in freight safety

Statistic 11

Companies with at least 30% minority leadership are 20% more likely to secure new business opportunities, illustrating economic benefits of DEI

Statistic 12

As of 2023, only 17% of freight industry board members are women, underlining leadership gender gaps

Statistic 13

Over 70% of trucking companies acknowledge the importance of DEI policies

Statistic 14

Hispanic or Latino employees constitute roughly 19% of the freight workforce

Statistic 15

Diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their less-diverse counterparts financially

Statistic 16

The average age of drivers in the freight industry is over 45, highlighting a need for DEI recruitment strategies targeting youth and minorities

Statistic 17

Less than 10% of freight companies have formal DEI programs

Statistic 18

Companies with higher gender diversity are 15% more likely to outperform competitors

Statistic 19

The driver shortage in North America exceeds 80,000, emphasizing need for inclusive recruitment of diverse candidates

Statistic 20

LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts in logistics are beginning but remain underreported, with only about 12% of firms actively implementing such policies

Statistic 21

60% of minority employees in logistics rate their workplace as inclusive, compared to 78% of non-minority employees

Statistic 22

Initiatives promoting DEI can increase employee retention rates by up to 20%

Statistic 23

Companies with strong DEI programs see a 40% increase in innovation, which is critical for logistics and freight solutions

Statistic 24

25% of logistics professionals believe their companies lack any DEI initiatives, indicating a need for organizational change

Statistic 25

In 2022, approximately 11% of freight drivers identified as veterans, highlighting opportunities for DEI-focused veteran recruitment

Statistic 26

Approximately 16% of logistics workers hold college degrees, with underrepresented minorities being less likely to have higher education credentials

Statistic 27

Only 3% of logistics executive roles are occupied by persons with disabilities, indicating a significant inclusion gap

Statistic 28

Employees from underrepresented groups report 30% higher job satisfaction in workplaces with active DEI initiatives

Statistic 29

Millennials and Gen Z make up 70% of the freight industry workforce; these generations value DEI highly, influencing recruitment and retention strategies

Statistic 30

62% of logistics companies recognize the business case for diversity, but only 40% actively measure DEI progress, indicating a gap between policy and action

Statistic 31

Hispanic women in logistics report greater feelings of inclusion when companies implement targeted DEI initiatives, according to a 2023 survey

Statistic 32

Over 50% of logistics employees have experienced bias or discrimination at work, indicating ongoing DEI challenges

Statistic 33

18% of freight industry workers are refugees or recent immigrants, providing a diverse talent pool that remains underutilized

Statistic 34

The proportion of LGBTQ+ employees in logistics is estimated at 7%, with many facing exclusion or lack of resources

Statistic 35

Women on average earn 20% less than men in freight jobs, pointing to wage equality issues

Statistic 36

40% of trucking firms have implemented mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups, supporting DEI growth

Statistic 37

Diversity training sessions increased by 25% year-over-year in the freight sector, showing growing awareness

Statistic 38

55% of freight companies are actively working on recruiting more women and minorities, yet only 30% have concrete targets, indicating progress but room to improve

Statistic 39

49% of employees from minority groups say they consider leaving due to lack of inclusion, highlighting retention challenges

Statistic 40

Transportation companies that have DEI initiatives report 25% higher customer satisfaction ratings, reflecting a wider business impact

Statistic 41

In a 2023 survey, 22% of logistics workers reported experiencing racial bias at work, indicating ongoing DEI issues

Statistic 42

The implementation of flexible work policies for drivers and logistics staff has increased by 30% in the past two years, aiding DEI efforts

Statistic 43

Around 35% of freight industry professionals believe that DEI initiatives will lead to better business outcomes, though actual implementation remains inconsistent

Statistic 44

The share of people with disabilities in the freight workforce is approximately 4%, with many facing accessibility barriers

Statistic 45

Approximately 20% of freight companies have internal affinity groups or employee resource groups supporting DEI, a rise of 10% from previous years

Statistic 46

65% of logistics managers believe that diversity improves team performance, yet only 45% actively measure diversity metrics, showing a gap in data-driven DEI efforts

Statistic 47

In 2022, roughly 14% of new hires in the freight industry were from underrepresented groups, indicating efforts to diversify recruitment

Statistic 48

The number of DEI-focused training programs in freight companies increased by 23% from 2021 to 2023, reflecting growing recognition of its importance

Statistic 49

Freight industry surveys show that implementing DEI initiatives increases company reputation among job seekers by 30%, aiding in talent acquisition

Statistic 50

42% of freight companies have no formal training on DEI policies for managers, which affects workplace culture

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 22% of the trucking industry workforce
Minority employment in the freight industry accounts for around 28%
Over 70% of trucking companies acknowledge the importance of DEI policies
Only about 13% of logistics managers are women
The percentage of African Americans employed in the freight industry is approximately 15%
Hispanic or Latino employees constitute roughly 19% of the freight workforce
Only 8% of executive roles in freight companies are held by women
Diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their less-diverse counterparts financially
The average age of drivers in the freight industry is over 45, highlighting a need for DEI recruitment strategies targeting youth and minorities
Less than 10% of freight companies have formal DEI programs
Companies with higher gender diversity are 15% more likely to outperform competitors
The driver shortage in North America exceeds 80,000, emphasizing need for inclusive recruitment of diverse candidates
LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts in logistics are beginning but remain underreported, with only about 12% of firms actively implementing such policies

Despite increasing awareness, the freight industry still faces significant gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with women, minorities, and underrepresented groups occupying only a small fraction of leadership roles despite the proven business benefits of DEI—making it clear that implementing comprehensive DEI strategies is essential for driving innovation, improving safety, and attracting a diverse talent pool.

Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture

Engagement surveys show that organizations with active DEI efforts have 15% higher employee engagement scores, boosting productivity
Female drivers tend to have higher retention rates when companies foster inclusive work environments, with some reporting 15% higher retention

Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture Interpretation

These figures reveal that fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just morally right—it's a high-octane strategy that drives workforce engagement and retention, steering the freight industry toward greater efficiency and sustainability.

Gender and Minority Representation

Women make up approximately 22% of the trucking industry workforce
Minority employment in the freight industry accounts for around 28%
Only about 13% of logistics managers are women
The percentage of African Americans employed in the freight industry is approximately 15%
Only 5% of senior leadership in the freight industry are women of color, pointing to significant representation gaps
The median income for women in trucking is about 25% lower than for men, illustrating gender-based wage disparities

Gender and Minority Representation Interpretation

While progress is visible with women and minorities comprising around a quarter of the freight industry's workforce, glaring gaps in leadership representation and gender-based wage disparities reveal how much work remains on the road to true diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Leadership and Senior Roles

Only 8% of executive roles in freight companies are held by women
In terms of safety and health, workplaces with diverse leadership report 25% fewer accidents, emphasizing the importance of inclusive leadership in freight safety
Companies with at least 30% minority leadership are 20% more likely to secure new business opportunities, illustrating economic benefits of DEI
As of 2023, only 17% of freight industry board members are women, underlining leadership gender gaps

Leadership and Senior Roles Interpretation

Despite the freight industry's vast potential, the stark gender and diversity gaps—only 8% of executive roles held by women, 17% of board members being women, and the safety benefits of diverse leadership—highlight that true progress requires moving beyond statistics to foster genuinely inclusive leadership models that drive safety, innovation, and economic growth.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

Over 70% of trucking companies acknowledge the importance of DEI policies
Hispanic or Latino employees constitute roughly 19% of the freight workforce
Diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their less-diverse counterparts financially
The average age of drivers in the freight industry is over 45, highlighting a need for DEI recruitment strategies targeting youth and minorities
Less than 10% of freight companies have formal DEI programs
Companies with higher gender diversity are 15% more likely to outperform competitors
The driver shortage in North America exceeds 80,000, emphasizing need for inclusive recruitment of diverse candidates
LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts in logistics are beginning but remain underreported, with only about 12% of firms actively implementing such policies
60% of minority employees in logistics rate their workplace as inclusive, compared to 78% of non-minority employees
Initiatives promoting DEI can increase employee retention rates by up to 20%
Companies with strong DEI programs see a 40% increase in innovation, which is critical for logistics and freight solutions
25% of logistics professionals believe their companies lack any DEI initiatives, indicating a need for organizational change
In 2022, approximately 11% of freight drivers identified as veterans, highlighting opportunities for DEI-focused veteran recruitment
Approximately 16% of logistics workers hold college degrees, with underrepresented minorities being less likely to have higher education credentials
Only 3% of logistics executive roles are occupied by persons with disabilities, indicating a significant inclusion gap
Employees from underrepresented groups report 30% higher job satisfaction in workplaces with active DEI initiatives
Millennials and Gen Z make up 70% of the freight industry workforce; these generations value DEI highly, influencing recruitment and retention strategies
62% of logistics companies recognize the business case for diversity, but only 40% actively measure DEI progress, indicating a gap between policy and action
Hispanic women in logistics report greater feelings of inclusion when companies implement targeted DEI initiatives, according to a 2023 survey
Over 50% of logistics employees have experienced bias or discrimination at work, indicating ongoing DEI challenges
18% of freight industry workers are refugees or recent immigrants, providing a diverse talent pool that remains underutilized
The proportion of LGBTQ+ employees in logistics is estimated at 7%, with many facing exclusion or lack of resources
Women on average earn 20% less than men in freight jobs, pointing to wage equality issues
40% of trucking firms have implemented mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups, supporting DEI growth
Diversity training sessions increased by 25% year-over-year in the freight sector, showing growing awareness
55% of freight companies are actively working on recruiting more women and minorities, yet only 30% have concrete targets, indicating progress but room to improve
49% of employees from minority groups say they consider leaving due to lack of inclusion, highlighting retention challenges
Transportation companies that have DEI initiatives report 25% higher customer satisfaction ratings, reflecting a wider business impact
In a 2023 survey, 22% of logistics workers reported experiencing racial bias at work, indicating ongoing DEI issues
The implementation of flexible work policies for drivers and logistics staff has increased by 30% in the past two years, aiding DEI efforts
Around 35% of freight industry professionals believe that DEI initiatives will lead to better business outcomes, though actual implementation remains inconsistent
The share of people with disabilities in the freight workforce is approximately 4%, with many facing accessibility barriers
Approximately 20% of freight companies have internal affinity groups or employee resource groups supporting DEI, a rise of 10% from previous years
65% of logistics managers believe that diversity improves team performance, yet only 45% actively measure diversity metrics, showing a gap in data-driven DEI efforts
In 2022, roughly 14% of new hires in the freight industry were from underrepresented groups, indicating efforts to diversify recruitment
The number of DEI-focused training programs in freight companies increased by 23% from 2021 to 2023, reflecting growing recognition of its importance
Freight industry surveys show that implementing DEI initiatives increases company reputation among job seekers by 30%, aiding in talent acquisition

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

Despite over 70% of trucking firms recognizing the critical role of DEI, with an underwhelming less than 10% having formal programs, a workforce that is predominantly over 45, largely male, and still grappling with biases—highlighting that embracing diversity isn't just good ethics but a proven business strategy for innovation, performance, and future talent pipelines.

Workplace Culture

42% of freight companies have no formal training on DEI policies for managers, which affects workplace culture

Workplace Culture Interpretation

With nearly half of freight companies lacking formal DEI training for managers, the industry risks steering its workplace culture into uncharted—and potentially turbulent—territory, highlighting an urgent need for inclusion at the wheel.