2024 Fleet Manager Salary Survey: Increasing Pay Meets Inflation, Expanded Duties

More fleet managers got a salary increase — and at a greater percentage — than in previous years, according to the 2024 fleet manager’s salary survey.

The latest survey covers commercial/private fleet managers’ salaries in the 2023 calendar year. The vast majority (81%) of respondents saw their salaries increase in 2023 over 2022. Of that 81%, almost one-quarter saw their salaries increase by more than 7%.

The previous survey was conducted in 2022, with the data covering salaries in 2021. In that survey, still within the aftereffects of the pandemic, 63% noted a salary increase over the previous year.  

In this survey, the majority (just over 50%) of fleet manager respondents reported making between $50,000 and $100,000, which tracks similarly to the previous survey. However, this survey had the greatest percentage (40%) of respondents making over $100,000, with 10% making over $150,000. That’s a 3% increase from the 2022 survey.

Nonetheless, these salary increases should be taken in the context of inflation, increased responsibilities, and staff attrition. In this survey, one-third of respondents reported a staff of one — themselves. This is in the face of growing responsibilities around employee mobility, data management, and the transition to electric vehicles.

This sample of qualitative responses tells the story:

• “Responsibilities have increased over the last 36 months and (my) salary has remained relatively static. Increases have not stayed on par with cost-of-living increases for a net negative outcome of responsibility versus salary.”
• “I am paid fairly but job responsibilities have increased a lot since my hire seven years ago.”
• “With the continued challenges that fleet managers face, having a fair compensation package is important to retain talent and show leadership.”

Methodology:

This year’s survey was conducted via an email campaign sent to readers of Automotive Fleet, Work Truck, and Government Fleet Magazine. The survey was conducted from Nov. 1, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2024, with a total of 325 respondents covering both commercial/private fleet managers and government/public sector fleets. Separate survey results will be released in Government Fleet magazine.