CDL Truck Driver Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$57,000
national median salary
$47,000 to $66,000. Last updated July 2026.
Highest Paying
$78,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$60,000
Raleigh, NC
Lowest Paying
$44,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. Most ranges are anchored to BLS OES occupation wage percentiles and placed by seniority level (entry near the 25th, mid at the median, senior at the 75th); a minority of emerging roles retain a modeled estimate where BLS has no matching series. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated July 2026. Baseline derived from BLS SOC 53-3032. Full methodology.
The average CDL Truck Driver salary in the United States is $57,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $47,000 at the 25th percentile to $66,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most 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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