Our company has been getting all automatics since around 2015. I had a 2014 Peterbilt with a 10 speed manual and it was one of the last. Honestly, I prefer the new Macks we have now with the 12 speed auto except when doing liquids. I think the manual transmission reference on a CDL is more of a restriction than an endorsement as my CDL doesn't have it. I've been driving 24 years and have to say the pay is better now than ever. We were losing drivers to Wal-Mart so the company I work for bumped up the pay to compete with them. I've been working for them 20+ years. Going to retire at 62 and I only work part-time now.