How much does a truck driver make?
a year · about $28 an hour
A typical truck driver in the United States makes $58,640 a year, about $28 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Drivers inspect the load and paperwork, then follow a dispatcher’s route and log their work hours. At delivery, they may help unload, check the trailer, and report problems.
Did you know? In the United States, long-haul truckers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 hours off, but must fit it inside a 14-hour work window.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,140 and $79,380How do you become one?
In the United States, finish high school, attend truck-driving school, get a learner’s permit, complete required training, and pass the inspection, control, and road tests for a CDL. In-state driving may start at 18; interstate driving generally starts at 21.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, drivers are often paid by the mile plus bonuses, so miles driven can affect pay. The per-mile rate may vary with the employer, cargo, experience, location, and industry; owner-operators may receive a share of shipping revenue.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($70,100), lowest in Louisiana ($49,320).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Kids' questions
In Japan, a truck driver averages $33,816. Truck driver salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,140 | $58,640 | $79,380 | about 2.1 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $70,100 | about 3,000 |
| Washington | $64,760 | about 41,000 |
| District of Columbia | $64,170 | about 830 |
| New Jersey | $63,570 | about 48,000 |
| Massachusetts | $63,030 | about 31,000 |
Official definition: Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license. Includes tow truck drivers. Excludes “Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors” (53-7081).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-tru
- www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/how-do-i-get-commercia
- www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/entry-level-driver-tra
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/53-3032.00
- www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY