Truck Driver Salary by State: 2025 Pay Data & Rankings
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TL;DR
The national average truck driver salary is around $57,000-$60,000 a year, but state averages vary widely, from roughly $44,500 in the lowest-paying states up to $70,000-$78,000+ in the highest. Location isn't the only factor though: specialized freight like hazmat and tanker routes frequently push earnings to $90,000-$110,000+, often outweighing the state you're based in.
In This Guide
- 1Average Truck Driver Salary in 2025
- 2Top 10 Highest-Paying States
- 3Salary by Experience Level
- 4Highest-Paying Trucking Jobs
- 5Regional vs OTR Pay Differences
- 6How to Maximize Your Earnings
- 7Salary Negotiation Tips
- 8FAQs
Warning:
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What Do Truck Drivers Make by State?
The national average is roughly $57,000-$60,000 a year. State averages range from around $44,500 in the lowest-paying states up to $70,000-$78,000+ in the highest. Specialized freight like hazmat and tanker frequently pushes pay well past state averages regardless of location.
State-by-state averages vary across different data sources and change year to year. Treat the figures here as directional, not exact, and confirm current numbers for your specific state and freight type before making a career decision based on them.
The National Range
| Percentile | Annual Pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | Under ~$38,600 |
| National average | ~$57,000-$60,000 |
| Top 10% | $78,800+ before bonuses/specialized premiums |
Live CDL Jobs
View All JobsWhy State Alone Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Higher-paying states tend to reflect a mix of freight demand, cost of living, and regional carrier competition for drivers, not a single simple cause. But state is far from the only variable, or even the biggest one for many drivers:
- Specialized endorsements matter more than location for many drivers. Hazmat and tanker roles frequently reach $90,000-$110,000+, often outpacing the difference between a high-paying and low-paying state.
- OTR vs. local vs. regional changes the pay structure entirely; see our local vs. OTR guide.
- CPM rate times actual weekly miles matters more than the headline number; see our CPM pay guide.
How to Use This Information Practically
If you're weighing where to base your career, look at more than the state average alone: check realistic freight demand and specific carrier pay in your actual metro area, not just the statewide figure, and factor in whether pursuing an endorsement like hazmat or tanker might matter more to your take-home pay than which state you're in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I move to a higher-paying state for trucking specifically?
Not necessarily. Cost of living tends to track with pay in many high-average states, and OTR drivers in particular can often access similar freight rates regardless of home base. Weigh the full picture, not just the average salary figure.
Where does this data come from?
Federal labor statistics and industry salary aggregators, which can differ somewhat in methodology. Treat any single figure as a general benchmark rather than a guarantee for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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