Kids' questions / Vehicles

🚚 How much does a truck driver make?

A typical U.S. truck driver makes $58,640 a year; the lower-paid 10% make $40,140 or less, and the top 10% make $79,380 or more. In Japan, average pay is about ¥5.07M; tractor drivers average ¥5.78M.

Pay varies with truck type, experience, overtime and bonuses; Japan’s highest figure is a tractor-driver group average, not a personal maximum.

US Most people, typical, the top

Truck driver — US
Who	Yearly earnings	Based on
Lower-paid 10% of heavy truck drivers	$40,140	May 2025 BLS OEWS 10th percentile.
Typical heavy truck driver (median)	$58,640	BLS May 2025 median wage.
Top-paid 10% of heavy truck drivers	$79,380	May 2025 BLS OEWS 90th percentile.

Truck driver salary in Japan: about $34K a year

Per month and per day

Truck driver — US
Who	Per month	Per day (÷365)
Lower-paid 10% of heavy truck drivers	$3,345	$110
Typical heavy truck driver (median)	$4,887	$161
Top-paid 10% of heavy truck drivers	$6,615	$217

Where does the money come from?

Pay per mile: Many heavy-truck drivers are paid for miles driven; the rate can vary by employer, cargo, and experience. Source
Bonuses: Some drivers receive bonuses in addition to pay based on miles driven. Source
Share of shipping revenue: Some long-distance drivers, especially owner-operators, are paid a share of shipping revenue. Source

How do you become a truck driver?

In the United States, finish high school or an equivalent program, get a state's commercial learner's permit, and complete required training with a registered provider. After holding the permit for 14 days, pass the CDL skills tests; interstate driving requires age 21 or older.

Finish high school or an equivalent program.
Get a learner's permit and pass the required knowledge tests.
Complete entry-level training with a registered provider.
Hold the permit for 14 days, then pass the CDL skills tests.
Get the CDL, then start job training after being hired.

A day as a truck driver

Before leaving, a driver checks the truck and load and reviews the delivery papers and route. They secure the cargo, drive while recording work and rest time, then deliver the goods and report any truck problems.

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Who earns more?

Common questions

Does typical pay vary by the industry a U.S. truck driver works in?

Yes. In May 2025, typical yearly pay was $60,320 in truck transportation, $58,550 in wholesale trade, $56,570 in manufacturing, and $56,080 in construction. Source

Can a U.S. truck driver's pay include more than miles driven?

Many heavy-truck drivers are paid based on miles driven, plus bonuses. The rate per mile can depend on the employer, cargo, and the driver's experience. Source

Can an independent long-distance driver receive part of the shipping revenue?

Some long-distance drivers, especially owner-operators who run their own business, are paid a share of the revenue from shipping. Source

Can long-haul truck drivers be away from home for days?

Yes. Long-haul truck drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. Source

How many hours can a long-haul truck driver drive in a work period?

For long-haul drivers, the work period can last up to 14 hours, including no more than 11 hours of driving. They must have at least 10 hours off between work periods. Source

This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.

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In Japan

Japan Most people, typical, the top

Truck driver — Japan
Who	Yearly earnings	Based on
Medium-truck drivers (survey average)	$30,400	2025 trucking association survey; male medium-truck average including bonus ×12.
Typical truck driver (MHLW average)	$33,813	MHLW Job Tag annual earnings figure from the 2025 wage survey.
Tractor-truck drivers (highest vehicle-class average)	$38,520	2025 trucking association survey; male tractor-driver average including bonus ×12.

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Data table and sources