CDL Truck Driver Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$57,000
national median salary
$47,000 to $66,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $58,640 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032) across the United States, based on 2,062,040 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$40,140
25th percentile
$47,960
Median
$58,640
75th percentile
$69,120
90th percentile
$79,380
Workers surveyed
2,062,040
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$57,440
May 2025 release
$58,640
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032) rather than CDL Truck Driverspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 53-3032Highest Paying
$78,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$60,000
Raleigh, NC
Lowest Paying
$44,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 53-3032. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average CDL Truck Driver salary in the United States at $57,000 in 2026, within a range of $47,000 to $66,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $78,000, while Raleigh offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Hauling specialization creates the largest pay differences.
CDL Truck Driver salary by city.
Skills that increase CDL Truck Driver pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for CDL Truck Drivers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $7,980 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$7,980 per year
≈ +$7,410 per year
≈ +$6,840 per year
≈ +$6,270 per year
≈ +$6,270 per year
≈ +$5,700 per year
≈ +$5,700 per year
≈ +$5,130 per year
What you should know.
Hauling specialization creates the largest pay differences. Tanker, hazmat, and oversized load endorsements add 15 to 25% over dry van rates. Owner-operators can earn significantly more but assume fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs. Long-haul OTR drivers earn more per mile than regional or local drivers, but local drivers often earn competitive annual totals with better home time.
New CDL holders start at $40,000 to $48,000 with a training carrier. Experienced drivers earn $46,000 to $68,000 after two to three years. Specialized haulers earn $65,000 to $85,000, while owner-operators gross $150,000 to $250,000 with net income of $70,000 to $120,000 after expenses.
Per diem payments of $50 to $70 daily for OTR drivers reduce taxable income significantly. Sign-on bonuses of $5,000 to $15,000 are common during driver shortages. Many carriers provide health insurance, 401k matching, and paid home time after specified weeks on the road.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote CDL Truck Drivers typically earn $51,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a CDL Truck Driver?
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Common questions about CDL Truck Driver pay.
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