Truck Driver salary in the United States
National median pay
$58,640/year
about $28.19 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $47,960 – $69,120
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 25th | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Median (50th) | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| 75th | $69,120 | $33.23 |
| 90th (top earners) | $79,380 | $38.16 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: Seattle ($71,240). Lowest of the cities we track: Orlando ($50,250).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $71,240 | $61,570 – $78,600 |
| San Jose, CA | $70,730 | $57,880 – $80,120 |
| San Francisco, CA | $66,450 | $57,320 – $77,910 |
| New York, NY | $65,040 | $59,290 – $77,100 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $64,200 | $58,440 – $75,280 |
| Boston, MA | $64,010 | $57,070 – $73,460 |
| Denver, CO | $63,900 | $58,310 – $72,810 |
| Portland, OR | $63,800 | $58,660 – $75,840 |
| Chicago, IL | $62,300 | $50,580 – $77,660 |
| Sacramento, CA | $60,810 | $49,380 – $71,570 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $60,650 | $49,740 – $72,980 |
| Nashville, TN | $60,630 | $49,950 – $77,150 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,340 | $49,020 – $70,600 |
| Washington, DC | $59,820 | $50,320 – $71,490 |
| San Diego, CA | $59,780 | $48,370 – $69,650 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,770 | $48,330 – $68,700 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,530 | $49,090 – $73,020 |
| Baltimore, MD | $59,460 | $49,690 – $69,310 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $59,370 | $54,310 – $70,740 |
| Detroit, MI | $59,120 | $48,340 – $64,080 |
| Atlanta, GA | $59,100 | $46,690 – $72,070 |
| St. Louis, MO | $58,240 | $48,310 – $69,610 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $57,880 | $49,570 – $64,930 |
| Austin, TX | $57,110 | $47,250 – $64,120 |
| Houston, TX | $56,840 | $46,830 – $64,410 |
| Charlotte, NC | $56,120 | $47,600 – $64,440 |
| San Antonio, TX | $53,650 | $46,670 – $63,540 |
| Miami, FL | $51,580 | $46,620 – $63,930 |
| Tampa, FL | $50,560 | $46,000 – $62,370 |
| Orlando, FL | $50,250 | $45,310 – $62,510 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for truck drivers, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $47,960 ($23.06/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $47,960 to $69,120 ($23.06 to $33.23/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $69,120 ($33.23/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Many drivers are paid per mile, so ask about typical weekly miles, not just the rate per mile.
- Ask how much home time you'll get and whether detention and layover time is paid.
- Lease-purchase offers can shift costs to the driver. Read the details carefully.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.