Truck Driver Salary in 2026
Truck drivers transport goods over short and long distances using heavy trucks, following delivery schedules and safety regulations. They load and unload cargo and maintain vehicles.
Median Salary
$58,640
$4,887/mo
Entry Level
$44,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$83,900
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032) at a national median of $58,640 per year (mean $59,710), or $28.19 per hour, with 2,062,040 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Truck Driver Overview
Truck drivers transport goods over short and long distances using heavy trucks, following delivery schedules and safety regulations. They load and unload cargo and maintain vehicles.
Education
CDL Training
Experience
0-1 year
Industry
Transportation
Total Jobs (US)
2.1M
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Transportation
Hourly Rate
$28.19/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,887
Truck Driver Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Truck Driver salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Truck Driver Salary
$71,000
$5,917/month · $2,731/biweekly · $34.13/hr
Truck Driver Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Truck Driver field.
Entry-level Truck Drivers earn around $44,800, while the top 10% earn $93,100 or more.
Top Paying States for Truck Drivers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $69,000 | +$10,360 |
| Illinois | $61,000 | +$2,360 |
| Texas | $57,000 | $-1,640 |
| Florida | $57,000 | $-1,640 |
| Ohio | $56,000 | $-2,640 |
Top Paying Cities for Truck Drivers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| ChicagoBLS metro | $62,300 | +$3,660 |
| ColumbusBLS metro | $61,720 | +$3,080 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $60,340 | +$1,700 |
| DallasBLS metro | $59,530 | +$890 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $51,580 | $-7,060 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Truck Driver Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Truck Driver.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Truck Driver Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Truck Driver from entry level to expert.
$44,800
0-2 years
$64,000
3-7 years
$83,900
8-14 years
$102,300
15+ years
Related Transportation Jobs
Truck Driver Salary FAQ
How much does a Truck Driver make in 2026?
The median salary for a Truck Driver in the United States is $58,640 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032); the mean is $59,710. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $44,800, senior professionals around $83,900, and top earners at $102,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Truck Driver?
A Truck Driver typically requires a CDL Training with 0-1 year of experience. Key skills include CDL Operation, Route Planning, Vehicle Inspection. Relevant certifications such as CDL Class A or Hazmat Endorsement can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Truck Drivers?
The job market for Truck Drivers is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 2.1M Truck Driver positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Truck Drivers the most?
The highest-paying states for Truck Drivers include Texas, California, Florida. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $57,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Truck Driver salary?
To increase your Truck Driver salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like CDL Operation and Route Planning. Pursue certifications such as CDL Class A. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Dallas. With 0-1 year of experience, you can progress from $44,800 to $83,900 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Truck Driver Salary
How we calculate Truck Driver salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $58,640, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers; BLS mean $59,710; BLS hourly median $28.19.
- Entry-level ($44,800) and senior-level ($83,900) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 2,062,040 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Transportation sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: CDL Training, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $58,640; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Truck Driver compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Truck Driver job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Transportation
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Truck Driver salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (CDL Operation, Route Planning, Vehicle Inspection), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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