Highest-Paying Driver Jobs in 2026
Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of public government data and insights from thousands of job listings, the Zippia data team has generated average salary estimates for various driving positions across the U.S. This analysis highlights the highest-paying driver roles based on their average annual earnings.
Here’s a summary of our findings on the top-paying driver positions:
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Company Driver ranks as the highest-paid driver, with an average salary of $65,430 and an hourly rate of $31.46.
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The second highest-paying position is Truck Driver Class A, earning an average salary of $63,270.
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The overall average salary for drivers is $34,771 per year, translating to about $16.72 per hour.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While compensation shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision, it remains a significant consideration. If you’re interested in a driving career, understanding which roles offer the highest salaries can help you strategize your career development.
Here are the leading salaries for various driver types:
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Company Driver
Average Salary: $65,430
A company driver is responsible for fulfilling transportation needs within an organization. They deliver goods, products, and staff to required locations while ensuring vehicles are well-maintained and clean. Company drivers must hold the necessary licenses and maintain a clean driving record, free from accidents or traffic violations.
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Truck Driver Class A
Average Salary: $63,270
Truck Driver Class A responsibilities include operating heavy vehicles and ensuring timely delivery of goods. A Class A license is required, along with physical and emotional fitness. Duties also involve monitoring the quality and quantity of loads, maintaining vehicle condition, and adhering to traffic regulations and company policies.
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CDL Driver
Average Salary: $63,112
A CDL driver transports goods from warehouses to retail locations, ensuring order accuracy and timely deliveries. Key responsibilities include vehicle inspections, following delivery schedules, and adhering to safety protocols.
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Haul Truck Driver
Average Salary: $60,932
Haul Truck Drivers are licensed to operate heavy vehicles, often traveling long distances for deliveries. They must possess strong time management skills and know the best routes. Additionally, they should ensure their vehicles are well-maintained and comply with all traffic laws.
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Truck Driver
Average Salary: $60,326
Truck drivers transport goods between manufacturing sites and retail locations, supervising safe cargo unloading. They must inspect their loads and maintain cleanliness and safety according to regulations. Proficiency in navigation tools is essential for finding efficient routes.
Below is a comprehensive table of the average earnings for various driving positions, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Drivers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Company Driver | |
| 2 | Truck Driver Class A | |
| 3 | CDL Driver | |
| 4 | Haul Truck Driver | |
| 5 | Truck Driver | |
| 6 | Local Truck Driver | |
| 7 | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| 8 | Delivery Truck Driver | |
| 9 | Line Haul Driver | |
| 10 | CDL Class A Driver | |
| 11 | Mixer Driver | |
| 12 | Local Driver | |
| 13 | Commercial Driver | |
| 14 | Route Driver | |
| 15 | Class B Driver | |
| 16 | Tow Truck Driver | |
| 17 | Package Delivery Driver | |
| 18 | Car Driver | |
| 19 | Van Driver | |
| 20 | Contract Driver |
Methodology
To create its salary estimates, Zippia utilizes publicly available information from government agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources to gather the most current salary information for drivers.
After compiling the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Driver Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid driver job?
The highest-paid driver job is a company driver. Company Drivers earn an average salary of $65,430, which equates to $31.46 per hour.
Company drivers help organizations with transportation-related duties, ensuring timely deliveries of goods, products, and staff. They are responsible for vehicle maintenance and must maintain a clean driving record.
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What is a good salary for a driver?
A good salary for a driver is $34,771 or more. This figure represents the average salary for drivers, indicating that those earning at least this amount are above the average.
However, salaries can vary based on location, as companies often adjust pay according to the cost of living. If you are entering the field, the average entry-level salary is around $31,699, so do not rely solely on the average figure.
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Do driver jobs pay well?
Driver jobs can vary significantly in pay. While the average salary of $34,771 is lower than the national average of approximately $44,225, many driver roles offer high earning potential, especially for experienced drivers.
Pay will fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so researching the local job market is essential before negotiating your salary.
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Where do drivers get paid the most?
Drivers in Iowa earn the highest average salaries. In Iowa, drivers earn an average annual salary of $38,851, with an hourly wage of approximately $18.68.
Following Iowa, the states with the highest average salaries for drivers are Vermont, Oregon, and Michigan, with average salaries of $42,781, $40,433, and $37,482 respectively.
The cities offering the best salaries for drivers include:
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Boston, MA – $42,446
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New York, NY – $41,242
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Seattle, WA – $40,732
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
