How Much Do CDL Truck Drivers Make?
National median $57,440/yr ($27.62/hr)
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earned a median of $57,440 a year, or $27.62 an hour, as of May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median means half of drivers made more and half made less. The bottom 10 percent earned under $38,640, and the top 10 percent earned more than $78,800. The average across all drivers was $58,240 a year. This covers the roughly 2 million drivers who hold a Class A CDL and haul freight over the road.
What pushes a driver's pay up is mostly the kind of freight, the number of miles, and who signs the checks. Specialized loads pay more than dry van. Endorsements like hazmat, tanker, and doubles or triples open higher-paying seats. Private fleets and union carriers pay well above the median, and top-paying states like Alaska ($68,520), New Jersey ($66,850), and Washington ($65,670) run several thousand dollars over the national number. Experience and a clean safety record matter too, since the best carriers want two or more years before they hand over the keys.
One thing to understand about trucking pay is that most company drivers are not paid by the hour. They are paid per mile, per load, or on a percentage, and the BLS figures above convert that into hourly and annual numbers. That is why miles and home-time policy matter so much. Owner-operators can gross $200,000 or more, but after fuel, insurance, and truck payments, most net between $70,000 and $120,000.
Pay by experience
Highest-paying paths
Oversize and heavy-haul loads pay roughly $70,000 to $110,000. Tanker and hazmat work runs about $60,000 to $100,000 because of the added skill and risk.
Company-owned fleets are among the best seats in trucking. Walmart advertises first-year pay around $110,000 with full benefits and regional consistency.
Top union scale reaches roughly $38 to $49 an hour with overtime and strong benefits, putting many drivers at $90,000 to $110,000-plus.
Two drivers keep the truck moving nearly around the clock, so each can clear $70,000 to $90,000-plus on high-mileage, time-sensitive freight.
Short, high-intensity seasons can pay $75,000 to $120,000, though the work window and conditions are demanding and not year-round.
Alaska ($68,520), New Jersey ($66,850), and Washington ($65,670) lead the nation on annual mean wage, well above the U.S. average of $58,240.
How to earn more
- Add endorsements. Hazmat (H), tanker (N), the combined X, and doubles/triples unlock higher-paying freight that other drivers cannot legally haul.
- Move to specialized freight. Flatbed, reefer, tanker, and oversize load pay more per mile than standard dry van.
- Get two years and a clean CSA record. Most top carriers, private fleets, and union outfits require it before they will hire you.
- Chase miles and home-time that fit you. Per-mile pay rewards running lanes and carriers that keep the wheels turning, and dedicated or regional routes can pay well without living in the truck.
- Target private fleets and union carriers. Walmart, Costco, Sysco, and Teamsters carriers like UPS feeder consistently pay above the median.
- Run team or take per-diem programs. Teaming doubles the moving hours, and per-diem can raise your take-home pay.
- Go owner-operator once you know the business. Higher gross revenue can mean higher net if you control costs, but only after you have the experience to run it right.
See who's hiring
Browse CDL Truck Driver jobs with pay shown upfront, or read the full CDL Truck Driver career guide.
CDL Truck Driver pay: common questions
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.