How Much Does a Commercial Truck Driver Make in 2025?
Commercial truck drivers, also known as tractor-trailer truck drivers, operate trucks with a total weight that exceeds 26,000 pounds including the vehicle, passengers, and cargo. They are known to be long-haul drivers who typically drive long distances to transport goods from one location to another.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the number of commercial truck driver jobs to grow 5% over the next ten years, producing an estimated 240,300 job openings every year from 2023 to 2033. Salary.com reports that the average yearly salary of commercial truck drivers in 2025 is $52,800.
This guide presents an overview of commercial truck driver salaries, including salary data in every state and city in the US, key factors that influence them, and proven tips for increasing earnings.
What is the Average Commercial Truck Driver’s Salary?
According to Salary.com, the average salary of commercial truck drivers in the United States for 2025 is $52,800 per year.
2025 Average Salary of Commercial Truck Drivers: $52,800 per year ($25 per hour)
As of this writing, the average commercial truck driver income is $25 per hour, with hourly wages that can go up to $31 or down to $20. Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for commercial truck drivers are $1,015 and $4,400, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Commercial Truck Driver?
Salary.com reveals that the salary range for commercial truck drivers starts at $40,955 per year and can reach as high as $65,027, with most earning between $46,600 and $59,200.
However, it’s also important to note that this salary range for commercial truck drivers may vary and is heavily affected by key factors including education, level of experience, geographic location, and occupation demand.
Commercial Truck Driver Salary Range: $40,955 to $65,027 per year ($35 to $44 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $20 | $788 | $3,413 | $40,955 |
| 25th Percentile | $22 | $896 | $3,883 | $46,600 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $25 | $1,015 | $4,400 | $52,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $28 | $1,138 | $4,933 | $59,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $31 | $1,251 | $5,419 | $65,027 |
Salary.com also reported that the average total compensation received by commercial truck drivers is $78,209. This already includes benefits and average additional cash compensation such as bonuses, health insurance, and time off.
Commercial Truck Driver Salary Factors
As previously mentioned, several factors can affect commercial truck driver salaries. These include experience, location, and skills. Let’s explore each of these in detail.
Years of Experience
The average salary of commercial truck drivers, based on years of experience, ranges from $51,945 per year for entry-level commercial truck drivers to $54,469 per year for expert-level commercial truck drivers with 8+ years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Commercial Truck Driver | <1 | $51,945 |
| Intermediate Level Commercial Truck Driver | 1-2 | $53,058 |
| Senior Level Commercial Truck Driver | 2-4 | $53,999 |
| Specialist Level Commercial Truck Driver | 5-8 | $54,281 |
| Expert Level Commercial Truck Driver | 8+ | $54,469 |
Place of Work
BLS reported that the specific workplace significantly influences the salary for commercial truck drivers. For instance, a commercial truck driver working in the truck transportation industry can earn as much as $57,830 in 2023. This figure is about 11.7% higher compared to the commercial truck driver salaries in the construction industry.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Truck Transportation | $57,830 |
| Wholesale Trade | $52,700 |
| Manufacturing | $51,090 |
| Construction | $51,080 |
Skill Set
Commercial truck drivers with certain in-demand skills are also in line to increase their salaries. For instance, the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that a commercial truck driver with safe driving skills can earn up to 11.03% more than those without.
On the other hand, a commercial truck driver having driver logs and shipping documentation skills is more likely to land a job with 14.04% and 13.44% demand, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Driving | 13.34% | +11.03% |
| Driver Logs | 14.04% | +8.98% |
| Cargo Transportation | 13.34% | +8.89% |
| Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations | 13.34% | +8.82% |
| Shipping Documentation | 13.44% | +8.62% |
| Vehicle Inspection | 13.34% | +8.38% |
Many truck drivers decide to become owner-operators, where they personally buy or lease trucks, get into the business, and accomplish their duties themselves. They could be car haulers, carry oversized loads, and even transport hazardous materials depending on their qualifications.
Commercial Truck Driver Salary by City and State
A city or state must ensure compliance with the state minimum wage; therefore, the choice of location can also significantly impact the earning potential for this job title in the US. Talented and experienced commercial truck drivers can take advantage of this information to identify the most strategic locations for both living and working.
Highest Paying States for Commercial Truck Drivers
Based on the Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest median annual wage for commercial truck drivers in the United States, at $58,800.
- District of Columbia: $58,800 per year (or $28 per hour)
- California: $58,200 per year (or $28 per hour)
- New Jersey: $57,900 per year (or $28 per hour)
- Alaska: $57,500 per year (or $28 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $57,400 per year (or $28 per hour)
Commercial Truck Driver Salary by State
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $57,500 |
| Alabama | $48,500 |
| Arkansas | $48,100 |
| Arizona | $51,400 |
| California | $58,200 |
| Colorado | $53,900 |
| Connecticut | $56,700 |
| District of Columbia | $58,800 |
| Delaware | $53,600 |
| Florida | $50,200 |
| Georgia | $51,100 |
| Hawaii | $55,200 |
| Iowa | $50,500 |
| Idaho | $49,300 |
| Illinois | $54,000 |
| Indiana | $51,200 |
| Kansas | $50,300 |
| Kentucky | $49,700 |
| Louisiana | $50,200 |
| Massachusetts | $57,400 |
| Maryland | $54,400 |
| Maine | $51,400 |
| Michigan | $52,100 |
| Minnesota | $54,000 |
| Missouri | $50,300 |
| Mississippi | $47,100 |
| Montana | $49,300 |
| North Carolina | $50,700 |
| North Dakota | $52,300 |
| Nebraska | $49,700 |
| New Hampshire | $53,700 |
| New Jersey | $57,900 |
| New Mexico | $48,700 |
| Nevada | $53,000 |
| New York | $56,300 |
| Ohio | $51,600 |
| Oklahoma | $48,800 |
| Oregon | $53,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,700 |
| Rhode Island | $55,100 |
| South Carolina | $49,800 |
| South Dakota | $47,500 |
| Tennessee | $48,900 |
| Texas | $51,700 |
| Utah | $50,200 |
| Virginia | $53,000 |
| Vermont | $51,800 |
| Washington | $56,900 |
| Wisconsin | $52,200 |
| West Virginia | $47,500 |
| Wyoming | $50,600 |
Highest Paying Cities for Aviation Engineers
According to the Salary.com data, the city of San Jose, California is the highest-paying city for commercial truck drivers with $66,300 per year or $32 per hour. Recent commercial truck driver salaries show that the 6 highest paying cities are as follows:
- San Jose, California: $66,300 per year (or $32 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $66,000 per year ($32 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $64,400 per year ($31 per hour)
- New York, New York: $61,700 per year ($30 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $61,200 per year ($29 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $60,800 per year ($29 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Commercial Truck Driver
Commercial truck drivers have several opportunities to increase their salary by gaining more experience, improving in-demand skills, and exploring growth within the role.
- Obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL): All commercial or long-haul truck drivers are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Qualifications to obtain this license may vary from state to state but they generally include a knowledge test and driving test.
- Attend a professional truck driving school: It’s a huge plus for commercial truck drivers to attend a professional truck driving school where they will complete training courses to learn more about federal laws and regulations and earn skills in maneuvering large vehicles on highways.
- Comply with the regulations of FMSCA: In the trucking industry, having a clean driving record is always an advantage. This is why most company drivers study the up-to-date information about driving rules, regulations, and violations released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Gain important driving qualities: Having essential qualities including hand-eye coordination, good physical health, hearing, and visual abilities can make a good case for commercial truck drivers to earn more.
- Know your worth: Negotiating your pay by researching market rates for your current position and experience can increase your salary. As of this writing, commercial truck driver salaries in the US range between $40,955 to $65,027 per year.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of January 29, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for commercial truck drivers in the US is $69,686 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$52,800 /year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$94,826/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$78,037/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$69,320 /year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$53,448/year
