How Much Does a Truck Driver Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$58,640
Truck drivers in the U.S. earn a median of $58,640 a year, or $28.19 an hour. Half of truck drivers earn more than $58,640 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $79,380.
Pay percentiles for truck drivers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19.30 | $40,140 |
| 25th | $23.06 | $47,960 |
| 50th (median) | $28.19 | $58,640 |
| 75th | $33.23 | $69,120 |
| 90th | $38.17 | $79,380 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for truck drivers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $70,100 | $33.70 | +20% |
| Washington | $64,760 | $31.13 | +10% |
| District of Columbia | $64,170 | $30.85 | +9% |
| New Jersey | $63,570 | $30.56 | +8% |
| Massachusetts | $63,030 | $30.30 | +7% |
| Nevada | $62,290 | $29.95 | +6% |
| New York | $62,050 | $29.83 | +6% |
| Minnesota | $61,990 | $29.80 | +6% |
| Oregon | $61,980 | $29.80 | +6% |
| Colorado | $61,500 | $29.57 | +5% |
| United States | $58,640 | $28.19 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many truck drivers are there?
BLS counts about 2,062,040 truck drivers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers”. The most jobs are in Texas (209,680), California (205,090) and Florida (112,920).
The mean (average) annual wage is $59,710, higher than the median of $58,640.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,887
- Biweekly
- $2,255
- Weekly
- $1,128
- Daily (8 hours)
- $226
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do truck drivers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for truck drivers is $28.19. The middle 50% earn between $23.06 and $33.23 an hour.
Which state pays truck drivers the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for truck drivers at $70,100, +20% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for truck drivers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of truck drivers earn less than $40,140 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.