Trades & Labor

Truck Driver Salary

Truck drivers transport goods and materials over local and long-distance routes using heavy trucks and tractor-trailers, ensuring timely and safe delivery.

Median Salary
$49,920
Mean Salary
$53,520
Total Employed
2,157,700
Job Growth
+4%

Truck Driver Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level truck drivers earn around $35,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $50,000. Senior-level truck drivers can earn $72,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$50,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$72,000

Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for truck drivers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $33,200, while the top 10% earn $78,000.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $33,200
25th Percentile $40,200
50th Percentile (Median) $49,920
75th Percentile $63,800
90th Percentile $78,000

Truck Driver Salary by State

Truck Driver salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $88,858, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $41,434.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $88,858 Details →
#2 California $71,386 Details →
#3 Massachusetts $67,392 Details →
#4 Alaska $66,893 Details →
#5 New York $60,902 Details →
#6 Washington $59,405 Details →
#7 New Jersey $57,408 Details →
#8 Oregon $56,410 Details →
#9 Connecticut $55,910 Details →
#10 Maryland $54,912 Details →
#11 Colorado $53,414 Details →
#12 New Hampshire $52,416 Details →
#13 Rhode Island $52,416 Details →
#14 Virginia $51,917 Details →
#15 Delaware $50,419 Details →
#16 Vermont $50,419 Details →
#17 Nevada $49,920 Details →
#18 Florida $48,922 Details →
#19 Maine $48,922 Details →
#20 Arizona $48,422 Details →
#21 Minnesota $48,422 Details →
#22 Montana $48,422 Details →
#23 Utah $48,422 Details →
#24 Louisiana $47,923 Details →
#25 Pennsylvania $47,923 Details →
#26 Texas $47,923 Details →
#27 Wyoming $47,923 Details →
#28 Illinois $47,424 Details →
#29 North Dakota $47,424 Details →
#30 Idaho $46,925 Details →
#31 Georgia $46,426 Details →
#32 New Mexico $46,426 Details →
#33 Indiana $45,926 Details →
#34 North Carolina $45,926 Details →
#35 Wisconsin $45,926 Details →
#36 Michigan $44,928 Details →
#37 Nebraska $44,928 Details →
#38 Ohio $44,928 Details →
#39 Iowa $44,429 Details →
#40 Oklahoma $44,429 Details →
#41 South Carolina $44,429 Details →
#42 Tennessee $44,429 Details →
#43 Missouri $43,930 Details →
#44 South Dakota $43,930 Details →
#45 Alabama $43,430 Details →
#46 Kansas $43,430 Details →
#47 Kentucky $43,430 Details →
#48 West Virginia $42,931 Details →
#49 Arkansas $41,933 Details →
#50 Mississippi $41,434 Details →

Key Responsibilities

  • Transport freight and cargo to designated destinations
  • Inspect vehicles before and after trips for safety
  • Maintain accurate delivery logs and documentation
  • Follow DOT regulations and hours-of-service rules
  • Load and unload cargo as needed

Top Skills

CDL License Route Planning Vehicle Inspection DOT Regulations Time Management Defensive Driving

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Job Outlook

As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade