A CDL driver’s salary depends on their experience, the type of load they carry and the distance they travel. Although it can be difficult to get a job as a first-time truck driver, those who have prior experience or are willing to work for less money in the beginning can often find jobs more quickly.
How much money should you expect to make as a CDL driver? The average annual salary for all Class A truck drivers was $46,971 (or $23.17 per hour). In addition to earning a nice paycheck, you’ll also get paid some of the best benefits in the industry, like health insurance, 401(k), and paid time off.
Starting Salary For CDL Drivers Overview
If you’re looking for a job as a commercial driver, you might be wondering how much you can expect to make.
The answer is: it depends on your experience level and where you live.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for a heavy truck or tractor-trailer driver was $40,980 in May 2015—but that figure includes salaries across all industries and sectors, from grocery stores to construction companies to local delivery services.
If we look at just those who drive semi-trucks—the largest category of truck drivers—the BLS reports that these drivers make an hourly wage of $20.96 per hour, or about $44,000 per year if they work full time (2,080 hours).
In some states, this wage is higher than others; for example: – In North Carolina (NC), drivers can expect to earn $1 more per hour than their counterparts in South Carolina (SC). – In California (CA), drivers can expect to earn $1 less per hour than their counterparts in Illinois (IL).
What is a CDL driver
If you have ever wondered what CDL stands for in the job title, CDL driver, we are here to clear up any doubt: CDL means commercial driver’s license, and drivers in possession of this permit operate large and heavy vehicles such as trucks or tractor-trailers transporting goods and sometimes hazardous material for commercial use.
Working as a CDL driver is not your average 9 to 5 job. If you get hired without having consulted your wife or partner first, you might have a problem. Working as a CDL driver will have you on the road, all around the country, for more than 300 days a year on lengthy routes that will not allow you to return home more than once every three weeks.
This job could be just right for you, if you are not the follow-the-flock kind of guy. Or girl. You can work during day or night, as long as you respect the maximum duration of working hours, which is 70 hours over an eight day period, so it seems doable to the average Joe. And you will be expected to cover 125,000 miles each year, which is around 2500 miles a week, 500 miles every working day. You’d better love that landscape, that’s all we are trying to say.
What Is the Average CDL Truck Driver Salary by State
State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tennessee | $64,648 | $5,387 | $1,243 | $31.08 |
Minnesota | $62,963 | $5,246 | $1,210 | $30.27 |
Massachusetts | $62,941 | $5,245 | $1,210 | $30.26 |
Hawaii | $62,888 | $5,240 | $1,209 | $30.23 |
Connecticut | $62,234 | $5,186 | $1,196 | $29.92 |
Nevada | $62,011 | $5,167 | $1,192 | $29.81 |
Rhode Island | $60,838 | $5,069 | $1,169 | $29.25 |
Washington | $60,118 | $5,009 | $1,156 | $28.90 |
Alaska | $60,005 | $5,000 | $1,153 | $28.85 |
Oregon | $59,934 | $4,994 | $1,152 | $28.81 |
Ohio | $59,687 | $4,973 | $1,147 | $28.70 |
New York | $59,409 | $4,950 | $1,142 | $28.56 |
North Dakota | $59,201 | $4,933 | $1,138 | $28.46 |
Utah | $58,226 | $4,852 | $1,119 | $27.99 |
Iowa | $57,913 | $4,826 | $1,113 | $27.84 |
Maryland | $56,797 | $4,733 | $1,092 | $27.31 |
South Dakota | $56,288 | $4,690 | $1,082 | $27.06 |
New Hampshire | $55,999 | $4,666 | $1,076 | $26.92 |
Virginia | $55,753 | $4,646 | $1,072 | $26.80 |
California | $55,047 | $4,587 | $1,058 | $26.46 |
Idaho | $54,507 | $4,542 | $1,048 | $26.21 |
Vermont | $54,457 | $4,538 | $1,047 | $26.18 |
Nebraska | $54,432 | $4,536 | $1,046 | $26.17 |
Kansas | $54,279 | $4,523 | $1,043 | $26.10 |
New Jersey | $54,113 | $4,509 | $1,040 | $26.02 |
Colorado | $54,104 | $4,508 | $1,040 | $26.01 |
Delaware | $54,076 | $4,506 | $1,039 | $26.00 |
South Carolina | $53,339 | $4,444 | $1,025 | $25.64 |
Mississippi | $52,932 | $4,411 | $1,017 | $25.45 |
Arkansas | $52,706 | $4,392 | $1,013 | $25.34 |
Arizona | $52,394 | $4,366 | $1,007 | $25.19 |
Wyoming | $52,010 | $4,334 | $1,000 | $25.00 |
Maine | $51,588 | $4,299 | $992 | $24.80 |
Oklahoma | $51,405 | $4,283 | $988 | $24.71 |
Montana | $51,311 | $4,275 | $986 | $24.67 |
Kentucky | $51,194 | $4,266 | $984 | $24.61 |
Michigan | $51,105 | $4,258 | $982 | $24.57 |
Indiana | $50,799 | $4,233 | $976 | $24.42 |
Louisiana | $50,408 | $4,200 | $969 | $24.24 |
West Virginia | $49,939 | $4,161 | $960 | $24.01 |
Illinois | $49,769 | $4,147 | $957 | $23.93 |
Missouri | $49,236 | $4,103 | $946 | $23.67 |
Wisconsin | $49,150 | $4,095 | $945 | $23.63 |
Pennsylvania | $49,021 | $4,085 | $942 | $23.57 |
Texas | $48,301 | $4,025 | $928 | $23.22 |
New Mexico | $46,860 | $3,905 | $901 | $22.53 |
Alabama | $46,372 | $3,864 | $891 | $22.29 |
North Carolina | $44,960 | $3,746 | $864 | $21.62 |
Florida | $44,945 | $3,745 | $864 | $21.61 |
Georgia | $41,904 | $3,492 | $805 | $20.15 |