Highest-Paying Truck Driver Jobs [2026]
Research Summary: The Zippia data team has utilized a blend of public government data, company reports, and insights from thousands of job postings to generate average salary estimates for truck driver roles across the United States. This analysis focuses on identifying the highest-paying truck driver positions based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings regarding the highest-paid truck driver roles:
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Truck Driver-Over-The-Road ranks as the highest-paid type of truck driver, with an average salary of $71,820 and an average hourly rate of $34.50.
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The second highest-paying truck driver position is company driver, with an average salary of $67,200.
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The average truck driver salary now stands at $62,500 annually, with an average hourly wage of $30.00.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Deciding on a career path can be challenging. While salary is a critical consideration, it’s not the only factor that should influence your decision. For those interested in pursuing a career as a truck driver, understanding the highest-paying truck driver roles is essential for planning your career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for various truck driver positions:
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Truck Driver-Over-The-Road
Average Salary: $71,820
A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is a professional driver responsible for transporting heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials over long distances. OTR drivers typically spend extended periods on the road, necessitating regular inspections of their vehicles and transport documents to avoid delays. They also handle the unloading of cargo and manage customer charges.
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Company Driver
Average Salary: $67,200
A company driver performs all transport-related duties for an organization, ensuring timely deliveries of goods, equipment, and personnel. They maintain their vehicle’s cleanliness and are responsible for reporting any necessary repairs. Company drivers must possess the appropriate licenses and maintain a clean driving record.
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Commercial Truck Driver
Average Salary: $66,000
A commercial truck driver is primarily tasked with transporting cargo while ensuring efficiency and punctuality. Responsibilities include driving for extended periods, coordinating with logistics teams, handling documentation, and ensuring cargo safety. They may also interact with clients, manage cargo loading and unloading, and keep transaction records. Regular vehicle maintenance checks and compliance with traffic regulations are crucial for a safe work environment.
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Truck Driver Class A
Average Salary: $64,750
A Truck Driver Class A focuses on driving heavy vehicles, ensuring timely and quality delivery of goods. This role requires a Class A license and a good physical and mental state. Responsibilities include securing and monitoring cargo, maintaining vehicle condition, and adhering to traffic laws and company policies.
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CDL Driver
Average Salary: $63,000
A CDL driver is responsible for transporting goods from warehouses to retail locations. Their duties include inspecting goods before and after delivery, providing proof of delivery, adhering to schedules, and monitoring vehicle efficiency. Good time-management and multitasking skills are essential, alongside strict adherence to safety and road regulations.
Below is a comprehensive table showcasing the average pay for various truck driver roles, highlighting the highest-paying positions alongside our methodology for data collection.
Highest-Paying Types Of Truck Drivers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| 2 | Company Driver | |
| 3 | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| 4 | Truck Driver Class A | |
| 5 | CDL Driver | |
| 6 | Haul Truck Driver | |
| 7 | Local Truck Driver | |
| 8 | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| 9 | Dump Truck Driver | |
| 10 | Delivery Truck Driver | |
| 11 | Line Haul Driver | |
| 12 | CDL Class A Driver | |
| 13 | Maintenance Truck Driver | |
| 14 | Water Truck Driver | |
| 15 | Professional Truck Driver | |
| 16 | Commercial Driver | |
| 17 | Class B Driver | |
| 18 | Tow Truck Driver | |
| 19 | Driver | |
| 20 | Truck Driver/Warehouse |
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly available information from reliable government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate its salary estimates.
The data science team also reviews job postings and company-released resources for the most current salary information pertaining to truck drivers.
After data collection, the team computes a weighted average for each job title analyzed. For more information on our salary estimates, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Truck Driver Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid truck driver job?
The highest-paid truck driver job is a truck driver-over-the-road. Truck Driver-Over The Roads earn an average salary of $71,820, which translates to $34.50 per hour.
OTR drivers are professional drivers specializing in hauling heavy freight over long distances, necessitating significant time on the road. To minimize breakdowns and delays, they conduct thorough truck inspections and review shipping documents. Additionally, they handle unloading and customer charge collection.
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What is a good salary for a truck driver?
A good salary for a truck driver is $62,500 or more. The average truck driver salary is currently $62,500, so those earning at least this amount are considered to be making above-average wages.
However, it’s essential to recognize that truck driver salaries can vary significantly by location, as companies often adjust their pay according to regional living costs. Researching local salary averages for your experience level will provide a clearer picture of your earning potential.
For those starting in the truck driving profession, the average entry-level salary is around $48,500, so the broader average of $62,500 may not reflect the earnings of newly hired drivers.
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Do Truck Driver jobs pay well?
Yes, truck driver jobs typically pay well. While salaries can vary across different roles, the average truck driver salary of $62,500 is higher than the average national salary of about $45,000 per year.
Moreover, numerous truck driver positions offer significant earning potential, with the top 10% of drivers earning an average of $78,000 annually.
Truck driver salaries will vary based on factors such as experience, industry, and geographic location. Conduct research on the going rate for truck drivers in your area to effectively negotiate your salary.
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Where do truck drivers get paid the most?
Truck drivers earn the most in Kentucky. In Kentucky, the average annual salary for truck drivers is approximately $70,000, with an hourly wage of around $34.00.
Following Kentucky, the states with the highest salaries for truck drivers include Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Delaware, with average annual salaries of $69,000, $68,000, and $71,500, respectively.
The cities offering the highest salaries for truck drivers are:
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Wilmington, DE – $72,500
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Newark, NJ – $71,000
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New York, NY – $70,500
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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.
