All careers › Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Truck driver: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $40,140lowest 10% earn less
- $47,96025th percentile
- $58,640median
- $69,12075th percentile
- $79,380top 10% earn more
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers had a median pay of $58,640 a year in May 2025, above the median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, and getting in takes a commercial driver's license and a short stretch of training[3][4][5].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +3.8%[3]
- Openings per year
- 214,500[7]
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award[4]
How much do truck drivers make?
The BLS category for this job is Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. In May 2025, the median wage was $58,640 a year, or $28.19 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) wage was $59,710 a year, or $28.71 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[2].
Pay varies a lot from one driver to the next. Here is the spread of annual wages[6]:
| Point in the range | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[6] | $40,140 | |
| Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[6] | $47,960 | |
| Median[1] | $58,640 | |
| Highest-paid 25% earned more than[6] | $69,120 | |
| Highest-paid 10% earned more than[6] | $79,380 |
By the hour, the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $19.30 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $38.17[9]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. A percentile is a boundary in the pay range, not a measure of experience[10].
These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out self-employed people and do not include bonuses outside regular production pay or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 7.3% of truck drivers were self-employed in 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Alaska had the highest median wage for truck drivers at $70,100 a year[13]. Washington followed at $64,760, then the District of Columbia at $64,170, New Jersey at $63,570 and Massachusetts at $63,030[13]. Louisiana had the lowest median among the places listed, at $49,320[13].
Texas had the most truck driver jobs at 209,680, followed by California (205,090), Florida (112,920), Pennsylvania (87,550) and Illinois (84,200)[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Lincoln, NE had the highest median at $81,790[15]. Fairbanks-College, AK came next at $76,560, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $71,240[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 65,100, with a median of $65,040[16]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin came second for jobs at 62,210[16].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska[13] | $70,100 | 3,420 |
| Washington | $64,760 | 40,530 |
| District of Columbia | $64,170 | 830 |
| New Jersey | $63,570 | 47,980 |
| Massachusetts | $63,030 | 30,890 |
| Nevada | $62,290 | 15,010 |
| New York | $62,050 | 63,700 |
| Minnesota | $61,990 | 38,770 |
| Oregon | $61,980 | 23,970 |
| Colorado | $61,500 | 25,350 |
| North Dakota | $60,910 | 11,870 |
| Vermont | $60,830 | 3,560 |
| Utah | $60,620 | 25,060 |
| Connecticut | $60,490 | 15,740 |
| Illinois | $60,320 | 84,200 |
| Wyoming | $60,310 | 6,050 |
| Indiana | $60,290 | 59,090 |
| New Hampshire | $60,280 | 6,960 |
| California | $60,230 | 205,090 |
| Rhode Island | $60,190 | 3,620 |
| Hawaii | $59,820 | 4,070 |
| Ohio | $59,800 | 83,060 |
| Maryland | $59,360 | 29,150 |
| Kansas | $58,920 | 24,220 |
| Montana | $58,870 | 7,830 |
| Idaho | $58,770 | 15,920 |
| South Dakota | $58,690 | 6,470 |
| Tennessee | $58,620 | 64,890 |
| Wisconsin | $58,610 | 53,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,580 | 87,550 |
| Nebraska | $58,390 | 23,160 |
| Arizona | $58,080 | 40,150 |
| Iowa | $58,070 | 35,040 |
| Delaware | $57,590 | 9,040 |
| Michigan | $57,180 | 60,800 |
| Georgia | $57,050 | 74,840 |
| Maine | $57,050 | 9,980 |
| Virginia | $56,860 | 48,750 |
| Kentucky | $56,340 | 31,760 |
| Texas | $56,290 | 209,680 |
| Missouri | $54,550 | 47,760 |
| Oklahoma | $54,410 | 27,840 |
| Alabama | $52,120 | 36,650 |
| Mississippi | $51,820 | 24,160 |
| Arkansas | $51,550 | 32,220 |
| North Carolina | $51,530 | 62,400 |
| South Carolina | $51,130 | 34,170 |
| Florida | $50,640 | 112,920 |
| New Mexico | $50,500 | 11,820 |
| West Virginia | $49,480 | 12,190 |
| Louisiana | $49,320 | 28,540 |
How to become a truck driver
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience in a related job and short-term on-the-job training[4]. The steps usually look like this:
- First, finish high school or get an equivalent. Many companies ask for a diploma or equivalent[17]. In an O*NET survey of 33 workers, 54% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 26% said less than a high school diploma, and 19% said a post-secondary certificate[18].
- Second, attend a truck driving school. Drivers often train at a private school or a community college program that lasts between 3 and 6 months[19]. Classes cover handling large vehicles and the federal rules for interstate driving, and drivers get a certificate when they finish[19][20].
- Third, get a commercial driver's license (CDL). The rules differ by state, but they generally include a knowledge test and a driving test[5]. A state can refuse a CDL to someone whose CDL was suspended by another state[5].
- Fourth, add endorsements if the job needs them. Hauling hazardous materials requires a hazmat endorsement. That means an extra knowledge test and a background check[21].
- Fifth, complete on-the-job training. After being hired, new drivers normally spend several weeks riding with an experienced mentor driver to learn the truck and the cargo[22].
In total, the facts point to a few months of school[19] followed by several weeks of training with an employer[22].
To keep a CDL, drivers must keep a clean driving record, pass a physical exam every two years and take part in random drug and alcohol testing[23]. A CDL can be suspended after a DUI conviction or a felony conviction involving a motor vehicle[23]. Some companies set stricter standards than the federal rules[24].
Some health requirements apply too. Drivers need to pass a hearing standard, with or without a hearing aid[25]. Federal rules bar people with certain medical conditions that could interfere with driving[26]. Good hand-eye coordination also matters[27].
What truck drivers do
Truck drivers move freight in a tractor-trailer or in a truck rated at 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight or more, and some are required to unload it[28]. Job titles that workers report include line haul driver, over the road driver and semi truck driver[29]. Common tasks include:
- Checking load paperwork for completeness and accuracy[30]
- Inspecting loads to make sure cargo is secure[30]
- Checking that the vehicle's mechanical, safety and emergency equipment works[30]
- Hooking up and releasing trailers, including air and electrical lines and fifth-wheel locks[30]
- Getting receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collecting payment when needed[30]
- Keeping logs of working hours and vehicle service status[30]
- Reporting defects, accidents, violations or damage[30]
- Doing basic maintenance such as adding oil or fuel and washing the truck[30]
Where they work
Truck transportation was the largest employer, accounting for 40% of these jobs in 2025[31].
The lifestyle can be a big part of the decision. Long-haul drivers can be gone for days or weeks and are alone for much of that time[32]. The work can be physically demanding. Long hours behind the wheel are tiring, and some drivers load and unload cargo[32].
BLS reports that injury and illness rates for these drivers are among the highest of any occupation, because of the chance of traffic accidents[33]. Deaths on the job are uncommon, but the fatality rate is also among the highest of all occupations[34].
Most drivers work full time, and nights, weekends and holidays are common[35]. Federal rules limit hours for long-haul drivers. A driver may not work more than 14 hours straight, with up to 11 of them spent driving[35]. Drivers must have at least 10 hours off duty between work periods and must record their hours in a logbook[35]. Driving is capped at 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, followed by 34 hours off[35].
Job outlook
BLS projects that employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers will grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,221,200 to 2,305,000 jobs[3]. That is a gain of about 83,800 jobs[3]. For all occupations, BLS projects growth of 3.5% over the same period[36]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[3].
BLS expects about 214,500 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[7]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, 4% of drivers are projected to leave the labor force and 5.1% to move to a different occupation[37].
OEWS counted about 2,062,040 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[38]. This differs from the projection count because the two measure different things. The OEWS figure leaves out self-employed workers[38], and the projection figure includes them[3].
Is it a good fit?
The facts show a job with pay above the all-occupations median, a short path in of a few months of school plus several weeks of training, and growth close to the average[1][2][19][22][3][36]. They also show real trade-offs. Long-haul drivers can be gone for days or weeks, the work can be physically demanding, and injury and fatality rates are among the highest of all occupations[32][33][34]. It may suit someone who wants a clear route into a well-paid job without a degree and who is comfortable with time on the road. Pay also depends on where you work, with state medians ranging from $49,320 to $70,100[13].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a truck driver make an hour?
- The median wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $28.19 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $19.30 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $38.17[9].
- How long does it take to become a truck driver?
- Truck driving school programs run between 3 and 6 months[19]. After being hired, drivers normally get several weeks of on-the-job training with a mentor driver[22].
- What do you need to be a truck driver?
- Many companies ask for a high school diploma or equivalent[17]. Drivers also need a commercial driver's license, which generally means passing a knowledge test and a driving test[5].
- Are truck drivers in demand?
- BLS projects 3.8% job growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][36]. It also projects about 214,500 openings a year, which include retirements and moves to other occupations[7].
- What is the highest paying state for truck drivers?
- Alaska had the highest median wage at $70,100 a year in May 2025, followed by Washington at $64,760[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the US was $58,640 per year and $28.19 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,221,200 to 2,305,000 jobs (a change of +83,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: 10th percentile $40,140, 25th percentile $47,960, 75th percentile $69,120, 90th percentile $79,380. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 214,500 openings for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers was $59,710 per year and $28.71 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: 10th percentile $19.30, 25th percentile $23.06, 75th percentile $33.23, 90th percentile $38.17. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 7.3% of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs: Texas 209,680; California 205,090; Florida 112,920; Pennsylvania 87,550; Illinois 84,200. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Lincoln, NE $81,790; Fairbanks-College, AK $76,560; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $71,240; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $70,730; Morristown, TN $67,330; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $66,450; Anchorage, AK $66,190; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $65,040. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 65,100 (median $65,040); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 62,210 (median $62,300); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 61,270 (median $60,340); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 55,670 (median $59,530); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 49,750 (median $56,840); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 41,830 (median $59,100). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 53-3032.00 survey of workers (33 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 54%, Less than a High School Diploma 26%, Post-Secondary Certificate 19% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 53-3032.00 sample job titles reported by workers: CDL Driver (Commercial Driver's License Driver), Driver, Line Haul Driver, Log Truck Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Production Truck Driver, Road Driver, Semi Truck Driver. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in 2025: Truck transportation 40%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: 4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,062,040 people were employed as Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.