Are you thinking about a career in trucking or considering a job change in the US? Are you curious about the truck driver salary in the United States? Well, a career in trucking will prove to be worthwhile if you are looking for the above two factors in the United States. According to recent data, over 3.5 million people are involved in truck driving in the US. Not many other jobs will give you the precious chance of financial stability as quickly as truck driving jobs in the US will give you. Also, this type of career will be accessible to you in the US when you have a CDL training from a truck driving school. With the help of this informative blog, you will learn about the Truck Driver Salary in the United States, state-wise comparison, and what factors impact the truck driver salary.
What is the Average Truck Driver Salary in the U.S?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics, as of May 2023, the average truck driver salary in the United States is an annual wage of $ 55,990. It means that a truck driver is earning $ 26.92 per hour. And as of recent data shared by the source “Indeed”, the annual income of the truck driver in the US is $ 104,156. It means that a truck driver could earn around $1,906 per week, showing a 50% increase in the truck driver’s salary from 2023 to 2025. However, these wages contain a considerable range, as a truck driver’s salary is based on their experience and performance.
The following is the truck driver salary distribution between the lower-income truck drivers and the higher-income truck drivers:
- Bottom 10% of the truck drivers earn up to $37,440 annually ($18/hour)
- Bottom 25% of the truck drivers earn up to $45,920 annually ($22.08/hour)
- The middle 50% of the drivers earn up to $54,320 annually ($26.12/hour)
- The top 10% of the drivers earn up to $76,780 annually ($36.91/hour)
- The top 25 % of the truck drivers earn up to $63,010 annually ($30.29/hour)
State-Wise Truck Driver Salary in the United States
Below is the comprehensive guide that tells you the state-wise comparison of the truck driver salary in the United States, which is based on the recent BLS employment and wage data:
| Name of the state | Average Annual Salary | Hourly wages | Their employment level |
| Albama | $52,760 | $25.37 | 45,800 |
| Arizona | $53,650 | $25.80 | 27,700 |
| Alaska | $65,870 | $31.67 | 2,900 |
| Arkansas | $51,530 | $24.77 | 34,400 |
| Colorado | $57,480 | $27.63 | 28,100 |
| California | $58,270 | $28.02 | 204,100 |
| Connecticut | $59,240 | $28.48 | 15,600 |
| Delawara | $56,830 | $27.32 | 3,400 |
| Georgia | $54,770 | $26.33 | 67,800 |
| Florida | $52,760 | $25.37 | 101,900 |
| Idaho | $55,140 | $26.51 | 12,800 |
| Hawaii | $58,970 | $28.35 | 3,100 |
| Illinois | $58,320 | $28.04 | 74,500 |
| Indiana | $54,330 | $26.12 | 58,700 |
| Lowa | $53,470 | $25.71 | 37,500 |
| Louisiana | $52,340 | $25.17 | 28,900 |
| Kansas | $54,440 | $26.17 | 26,100 |
| Kentucky | $53,800 | $25.87 | 37,000 |
| Maryland | $57,770 | $27.78 | 28,400 |
| Maine | $56,590 | $27.21 | 8,700 |
| Michigan | $55,610 | $26.73 | 54,300 |
| Massachusetts | $60,740 | $29.20 | 26,800 |
| Minnesota | $57,450 | $27.62 | 41,200 |
| Missouri | $54,800 | $26.35 | 48,900 |
| Mississippi | $51,330 | $24.68 | 21,500 |
| Montana | $56,000 | $26.92 | 11,700 |
| Nebraska | $58,680 | $28.21 | 24,700 |
| Nevada | $57,520 | $27.65 | 12,800 |
| New Hampshire | $58,490 | $28.12 | 6,100 |
| New Jersey | $64,270 | $30.90 | 52,500 |
| New Mexico | $54,650 | $26.27 | 10,800 |
| New York | $60,910 | $29.28 | 61,400 |
| North Carolina | $53,470 | $25.71 | 56,800 |
| North Dakota | $58,680 | $28.21 | 11,100 |
| Ohio | $55,610 | $26.73 | 89,500 |
| Oklahoma | $53,810 | $25.87 | 26,100 |
| Oregon | $58,490 | $28.12 | 22,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,530 | $27.18 | 89,900 |
| Rhode Island | $59,740 | $28.72 | 3,500 |
| South Dakota | $55,340 | $26.61 | 9,800 |
| South Carolina | $52,500 | $25.24 | 29,100 |
| Texas | $54,550 | $26.22 | 212,700 |
| Tennessee | $53,800 | $25.87 | 48,700 |
| Utah | $56,460 | $27.14 | 19,600 |
| Vermont | $57,840 | $27.81 | 3,400 |
| Virginia | $55,260 | $26.57 | 42,800 |
| Washington | $63,160 | $30.36 | 36,200 |
| Wisconsin | $57,450 | $27.62 | 41,500 |
| West Virginia | $54,810 | $26.35 | 11,500 |
| Wyoming | $60,030 | $28.86 | 6,200 |
| District of Columbia | $63,630 | $30.59 | 600 |
Highest Paying States for Truck Drivers in the United States
Above, we have done a state-wise comparison of the Truck Driver Salary in the United States. Now, in this section, we will discuss the highest-paying states for truck drivers in the United States, which are as follows:
| Name of the State | Salary of a Truck Driver | State specializes in |
| Washington | $63,160 | Known for its strong port activity and unionized carriers |
| North Dakota | $58,680 | Oil fields and seasonal transportation boosts |
| New York | $60,910 | Known for its higher urban wages and dense cargo zones |
| California | $58,270 | Known for its port demand and higher shipment volume |
| Illinois | $58,320 | Major Midwest hub and warehousing growth |
| New Jersey | $64,270 | Known for its dense urban markets and major distribution centres |
| Massachusetts | $60,740 | Higher Cost of Living + regional LTL demand |
| Connecticut | $59,240 | Known for its northeastern demands and regional hauls |
| Oregon | $58,490 | Known for one of the best West Coast shipment doors. |
| Pennsylvania | $56,530 | The state is known for its strong manufacturing and distribution market. |
United States Southern Region Truck Driver Salary
The Southern Region of the United States is considered a powerhouse region for trucking. The southern region has massive freight doors, easy port access, and a higher truck driver demand. The average salary of the truck drivers in the southern region is comparatively higher than in the other regions. The southern region of the United States offers strong job stability, frequent home time, and comparatively lower living costs. Below are some southern states, with the truck driver salary, and the features of each state:
| Name of the Southern State | Salary of the Truck Drivers | Features of the state |
| Texas | $54,550 | Texas is known for its large trucking industry and diverse shipment markets. |
| Oklahoma | $53,810 | It is known for its central cargo hub & the growing oil industry. |
| Alabama | $52,760 | Alabama is known for its key distribution networks and lower living costs. |
| Louisiana | $52,340 | It has a huge port access and a Gulf Coast shipment |
| Georgia | $54,770 | In Georgia, Atlanta is a major National trucking hub. |
| Northern Florida | $55,700 | It is known for its port of Jacksonville & high regional shipments. |
Lowest Paying States for Truck Drivers in the United States
Some of the lowest-paying states for truck drivers in the United States are as follows:
| Name of the state | Salary |
| Mississippi | $51,330 |
| West Virginia | $54,810 |
| Kentucky | $53,800 |
| South Dakota | $55,340 |
| Missouri | $54,800 |
| Kansas | $54,440 |
Truck Driver Salary by the Types of Drivers
A truck driver’s salary in the United States may vary significantly based on their specialization, experience, various route types, and certifications. It also depends on the various types of truck drivers, which are mentioned below:
1) Entry-Level Drivers
New truck drivers usually start out earning between $37,000 and $45,000 a year. At this stage, most take on local or regional routes to gain experience while still having a work-life balance. Some companies may ask for CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) training, but many entry-level jobs don’t require advanced experience or special certifications.
2) Long-Haul Drivers
Long-distance or OTR (over-the-road) drivers earn more, with salaries averaging $55,000 to $70,000 a year. Because these drivers spend weeks away from home, they’re often paid per mile, which means careful route planning can boost their yearly pay above $65,000.
3) CDL Drivers
Drivers with a CDL license who handle bigger or more specialized vehicles, like tankers, earn between $58,000 and $72,000 annually. Since CDL drivers need extra training and take on more responsibility, their salaries are generally higher than those of regular drivers.
4) Local Delivery Drivers
Local delivery drivers make $45,000 to $58,000 a year. While the pay is slightly lower, many prefer these jobs because they get to return home every evening and enjoy a predictable routine.
5) Owner-Operators
Independent drivers who own their trucks can gross anywhere between $100,000 and $200,000 annually. However, they face big expenses for things like fuel, maintenance, and insurance. After covering costs, most owner-operators keep about 60-70% of their income. With good budgeting and tools like freight factoring, they can still earn a solid living.
6) Company Drivers
Drivers working directly for a trucking company usually make $52,000 to $68,000 per year, plus benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Big companies often pay more; for example, UPS drivers start around $70,000, while Walmart truck drivers can make $75,000 or more.
7) Specialized Truckers
Truckers who handle high-risk loads, like hazardous materials, oversized loads, or tanker jobs, earn between $62,000 and $85,000. These roles require extra certifications and training.
8) Waste Management Truck Drivers
Garbage truck drivers typically make $48,000 to $60,000 a year. These jobs, offered by both cities and private companies, often include good benefits, steady work, and predictable local schedules, making it a reliable career choice.
What Factors Impact the Truck Drivers’ Salary
Some factors that impact the truck drivers’ salaries are as follows:
- Experience Level- First of all comes the experience level. Like, seasoned drivers with proven reliability can earn 30% more than the industry average. Your experience directly correlates with the financial stability and favourable route assignments.
- Different Regions and Cost of Living- The geographical location of the truck drivers is another significant factor in your earnings. In this, various coastal regions and major metropolitan areas offer up to 10% to 50% higher compensation to offset. It helps to increase the cost of living and retain the drivers.
- Driving Length- The longer hauls, cross-border routes, and specialized corridors also include additional compensation to the drivers to reflect the complexity, away-from-home time, and regulatory requirements.
- Pay Structure of the Company- Various compensation models vary between the salary plus bonuses, per-mile rates & hourly wages. Each approach provides different incentives to the drivers for productivity and efficiency.
- Different Types of Freight- Some of the freight, such as the specialized cargo, like refrigerated goods, high-value merchandise, oversize loads, and hazardous materials, commands premium rates because of the safety handling requirements, liability considerations, and specialized equipment needs.
FAQS:
1) What is the estimated truck driver salary in the United States?
The estimated truck driver salary in the United States varies between $ 50,000-$ 60,000.
2) How much does an Indian truck driver earn in the USA?
An Indian Truck driver can earn $ 40,000 to $ 200,000 per year, depending on their experience, location, and whether they are a company driver or an owner operator.
3) Is truck driving a good career in the USA?
Yes, truck driving is a good job in the USA. It provides you with a substantial income with a minimum education and certification as compared to other jobs.
4) How much do truck drivers earn in Florida?
On average, Truck Drivers earn up to $55,700 in Florida.