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CDL Truck Driver Salary in Winston-Salem, NC

U.S. median $57,440/yr ($27.62/hr)

CDL truck driver pay in Winston-Salem, North Carolina moves with local freight demand, port and warehouse traffic, and how many long-haul lanes run through the area. Here is what the live local job market is paying right now.

Checking live local pay...

National benchmarks

Median$57,440/yr ($27.62/hr)
Hourly range$18.58 to $37.88/hr
Bottom 10%under $38,640/yr
Top 10%over $78,800/yr

Local pay in Winston-Salem moves with cost of living, union presence, and demand. The live figure above reflects what Winston-Salem employers are posting right now.

Pay by experience

Entry (0-1 year, CDL school grad, first-year OTR)New drivers usually start over the road (OTR) for a big carrier. First-year pay lands near the bottom third, and the lowest 10 percent of all drivers earn under $38,640. This is the year you build miles and a clean record.$45,000 to $55,000/yr
Mid-career (2-5 years, solo regional or OTR)With two years in, you qualify for better carriers, dedicated lanes, and regional runs with more home time. Pay moves up around and above the national median of $57,440.$55,000 to $70,000/yr
Experienced (5+ years, dedicated, specialized, or union)Seasoned drivers on specialized freight, private fleets, or union scale sit in the top 10 percent, which starts above $78,800. Hazmat, tanker, and heavy-haul endorsements push it higher.$70,000 to $95,000+/yr
Owner-operator (own truck or own authority)Gross revenue often tops $200,000, but fuel, insurance, maintenance, and the truck payment eat most of it. Net take-home is what counts, and it swings hard with freight rates and how well you run the business.$70,000 to $120,000+ net

CDL Truck Driver jobs in Winston-Salem

See CDL Truck Driver jobs hiring in Winston-Salem with pay shown upfront.

CDL Truck Driver pay in nearby cities

Charlotte, NCRaleigh, NCGreensboro, NCDurham, NC

CDL Truck Driver pay in Winston-Salem: FAQs

How much do CDL truck drivers make?

The median pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $57,440 a year, or $27.62 an hour, as of May 2024 (BLS). The lowest 10 percent earned under $38,640 and the top 10 percent earned more than $78,800.

Do truck drivers make good money?

Yes, especially without a college degree. The median of $57,440 beats the median pay for many jobs that require a four-year degree, and experienced drivers on specialized, private-fleet, or union work regularly clear $80,000 to $110,000.

What are the highest paying truck driving jobs?

Oversize and heavy-haul ($70,000 to $110,000), hazmat and tanker ($60,000 to $100,000), private fleets like Walmart (about $110,000 first year), union carriers ($90,000 to $110,000-plus), and seasonal ice-road or oilfield work ($75,000 to $120,000) pay the most.

How much do truck drivers make per hour?

The BLS median is $27.62 an hour, with the range running from about $18.58 an hour at the bottom 10 percent to $37.88 at the top 10 percent. Keep in mind most company drivers are actually paid per mile, and those hourly figures are conversions.

Can you make $100,000 a year as a truck driver?

Yes, but not usually as a brand-new driver. Hitting six figures typically takes a specialized endorsement (hazmat, tanker, oversize), a private-fleet or union seat, team driving, or running your own truck as an owner-operator, along with a couple of years of clean experience.