The median salary for a truck driver is $49,920 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you love life on the road and to work independently, a career as a professional truck driver might suit you. What’s more, you may be able to earn significantly more than the average: Truck drivers in the United States can make between $40,000 and $95,000 a year, and possibly even more.
How much a truck driver makes depends on several factors, including what kind of truck you drive, where you work, and your driving experience. Read on to learn more about this. Also, before you decide to hit the gas, it’s wise to investigate the benefits and drawbacks of the trucker lifestyle, which are also reviewed below.
What Are Truck Drivers?
Truck drivers are certified professionals trained to operate large commercial vehicles. They typically deliver large quantities of goods from one location to another.
A truck driver can spend long hours alone on the road, meaning it can be a good fit for introverts and a good job for antisocial people. Most truckers are employed by a trucking company, but some truck drivers make enough money to buy their own rigs and work as independent contractors.
Truck drivers typically must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) through their state, as well as specialized training and skills in order to drive this kind of vehicle (you’ll read more about this below).
Some of the responsibilities of a truck driver include:
• Driving and operating commercial vehicles
• Pre-inspecting the truck
• Navigating road maps and destination routes
• Verifying pick-up loads for accuracy and delivering cargo as instructed
• Loading and unloading the goods
• Maintaining basic vehicle maintenance
• Complying with company safe work practices and policies
• Accurately filling out company paperwork for deliveries
• Staying current on truck driving permits and qualifications
• Being able to lift up to 80 pounds repeatedly throughout the day.
Being a truck driver can be a good way to make money as a retiree. In fact, many cargo companies hire retired couples, as they can share the load and get more done together. You and your partner could travel in retirement while making extra income.
💡 Quick Tip: We love a good spreadsheet, but not everyone feels the same. An online budget planner can give you the same insight into your budgeting and spending at a glance, without the extra effort.
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How Much Do Starting Truck Drivers Make a Year?
Entry-level truck drivers can make a salary ranging between $32,348 to $52,837, an average of $41, 342 a year. Salaries can vary depending on several factors, including the driver’s experience, the kind of truck they drive, and the homebase location and the cost of living there.
Some commercial trucking companies may pay novice drivers by the hour vs. a yearly salary. Even starting out, a trucker can make more than the average minimum wage, bringing in around $17.73 an hour.
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What is the Average Salary for a Truck Driver?
You’ve already learned that the median salary for a truck driver is just shy of $50,000 a year. That said, there can be the potential to make over $100,000 a year doing this job. Keep in mind, the range of what you can make depends heavily on what kind of truck you drive, your experience, and job title.
Here’s an example of the pay ranges in the truck driving industry:
• Private fleet driver: $29,992
• Mining industry driver: $40,655
• Hazmat driver: $61,068
• Tanker driver: $$62,166
• Ice road driver (seasonal): $66,422
• Regional truck driver: $75,877
• Oversized truck driver: $82,262
• Team truck driver: $119,464
• Owner operator: $320,912
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What is the Average Truck Driver Salary by State?
A big factor in how much money a truck driver makes a month or in a year depends where they live. As with most jobs, trucker salaries can fluctuate from state to state, and some areas may have higher-paying jobs than others.
Here are the averages for local truck drivers by state, in alphabetical order:
| State | Local Truck Driver Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,983 |
| Alaska | $65,071 |
| Arizona | $63,728 |
| Arkansas | $49,018 |
| California | $56,755 |
| Colorado | $62,188 |
| Connecticut | $59,005 |
| Delaware | $58,851 |
| Florida | $51,100 |
| Georgia | $57,742 |
| Hawaii | $63,210 |
| Idaho | $54,193 |
| Illinois | $57,444 |
| Indiana | $65,073 |
| Iowa | $59,276 |
| Kansas | $54,726 |
| Kentucky | $51,665 |
| Louisiana | $54,627 |
| Maine | $55,568 |
| Maryland | $57,034 |
| Massachusetts | $65,173 |
| Michigan | $51,518 |
| Minnesota | $62,568 |
| Mississippi | $58,142 |
| Missouri | $55,284 |
| Montana | $62,767 |
| Nebraska | $55,931 |
| Nevada | $61,525 |
| New Hampshire | $55,251 |
| New Jersey | $66,994 |
| New Mexico | $63,095 |
| New York | $62,095 |
| North Carolina | $53,615 |
| North Dakota | $64,470 |
| Ohio | $61,058 |
| Oklahoma | $54,165 |
| Oregon | $64,604 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,890 |
| Rhode Island | $59,839 |
| South Carolina | $54,745 |
| South Dakota | $60,931 |
| Tennessee | $58,297 |
| Texas | $53,737 |
| Utah | $57,956 |
| Vermont | $60,476 |
| Virginia | $58,158 |
| Washington | $65,467 |
| West Virginia | $43,937 |
| Wisconsin | $65,631 |
| Wyoming | $66,508 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
Truck Driver Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
In order to become a professional truck driver you have to be 18 to 21 years of age (the requirement differs from state to state) and have a clean driving record, including no DUIs. Most truck companies require their employees to have a high school diploma or a GED, and undergo routine drug tests.
The biggest requirement to becoming a truck driver is obtaining proper certification: your commercial driver’s license (CDL), as mentioned above. Truck driving certification can be done by:
• Enrolling in a truck driver training program. While not required, these programs can prepare you for the CDL with classroom and hands-on training.
• Passing a physical exam to determine you are fit enough to handle a commercial vehicle.
• Obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) via a written exam. This will allow you to drive a commercial vehicle under the supervision of a licensed CDL holder.
• Getting your commercial driver’s license (CDL). This requires a written and driving exam.
• Completing additional state requirements for driving vehicles such as tankers and those carrying hazardous materials.
Once you obtain your CDL and are hired by a company, many salaried truck driver jobs can come with the following benefits:
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Bonuses and incentives for reaching performance goals]
Pros and Cons of Being a Truck Driver
Being a professional truck driver can provide a solid income and a sense of freedom, but the job isn’t for everyone. Here are the biggest positives and negatives of being a truck driver:
Pros:
• Potential for a steady yearly income.
• No college degree required.
• A quick start; most people can earn their CDL in 3 to 4 weeks.
• High job demand/job security.
• Opportunities to buy your own rig and be your own boss.
• Traveling, sometimes across scenic America.
• Pet perks: Many companies allow truckers to bring their dogs along for the ride.
• Good benefits/driving bonuses.
• An independent work day vs. punching the clock.
Cons:
• Monotonous hours on the road.
• Driving fatigue.
• Unhealthy lifestyle due to long, sedentary stretches behind the wheel.
• Poor diet. Many truckers exist on fast-food options while on the road.
• Loneliness. You’ll spend days and possibly nights away from family, friends, and co-workers.
Of course, before embarking on any career, you’ll want to make sure your potential earnings will be enough to cover your expenses. Picking and sticking with one of the different budgeting methods can be helpful.
The Takeaway
How much a truck driver makes a year is on average $49,920, though salaries can vary considerably and soar higher if you own your own business. Being a truck driver can be a good fit for those who enjoy being out on the road and who are introverts, but the long hours and being away from home can be challenging.
FAQ
Can you make 100k a year as a truck driver?
The average truck driver earns $49,920 per year, but you can make $100,000 a year as a truck driver, especially if you own your own truck.
Do people like being a truck driver?
People who don’t mind the long hours and solitude might enjoy being a truck driver. Many truck drivers love the flexibility, salary, and traveling across America.
Is it hard to get hired as a truck driver?
No, it is not that hard. There is currently a shortage of truck drivers in the United States. The demand for CDL drivers is high.
Photo credit: iStock/RichLegg
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