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Semi truck driver salary
Average semi truck driver salary
$57,712
Average Semi Truck Driver Salary
The semi truck driver salary varies across the United States, with an average of $57,712 annually. Factors influencing this salary include the driver's experience level, geographical location, and specific job responsibilities. For instance, drivers with more years of experience typically earn higher wages.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level drivers can expect salaries starting around $41,000, while experienced drivers can earn upwards of $75,000. Additionally, specialized roles such as hazardous materials transportation may offer higher compensation.
Highest Paying States
States such as Alaska, New York, and California provide some of the highest salaries for semi truck drivers, reflecting the demand for skilled drivers in those regions. Exploring job opportunities in these locations could lead to better pay and benefits.
If you’re considering a career as a semi truck driver, understanding these salary dynamics can help you make informed decisions about your career path.
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Where can a Semi Truck Driver earn more?
Semi truck driver salaries by experience level
Semi truck driver salary estimates from across the web
Average semi truck driver salary by state
The average semi truck driver salary in North Dakota, Illinois, and Wyoming are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average semi truck driver salary states are Georgia, New Hampshire, and Arizona.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for semi truck drivers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $73,205 | $35.19 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $70,617 | $33.95 |
| 3 | Delaware | $69,913 | $33.61 |
| 4 | Tennessee | $63,843 | $30.69 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $78,797 | $37.88 |
| 6 | Montana | $69,976 | $33.64 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $61,335 | $29.49 |
| 8 | Nevada | $66,420 | $31.93 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $66,668 | $32.05 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $62,673 | $30.13 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $60,544 | $29.11 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $62,642 | $30.12 |
| 13 | Vermont | $66,407 | $31.93 |
| 14 | Ohio | $60,468 | $29.07 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $68,051 | $32.72 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $63,423 | $30.49 |
| 17 | Maryland | $66,466 | $31.95 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $61,639 | $29.63 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | $60,709 | $29.19 |
| 20 | Virginia | $65,753 | $31.61 |
| 21 | Alabama | $60,809 | $29.24 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $61,484 | $29.56 |
| 23 | Missouri | $60,955 | $29.31 |
| 24 | New York | $66,894 | $32.16 |
| 25 | Michigan | $60,576 | $29.12 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $60,465 | $29.07 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $59,942 | $28.82 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $58,333 | $28.04 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $58,248 | $28.00 |
| 30 | Texas | $60,330 | $29.00 |
| 31 | Utah | $60,724 | $29.19 |
| 32 | Kansas | $57,242 | $27.52 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $66,483 | $31.96 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $57,836 | $27.81 |
| 35 | Massachusetts | $62,452 | $30.02 |
| 36 | New Jersey | $62,366 | $29.98 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | $60,294 | $28.99 |
| 38 | Idaho | $59,486 | $28.60 |
| 39 | Washington | $61,036 | $29.34 |
| 40 | California | $59,484 | $28.60 |
| 41 | Iowa | $53,068 | $25.51 |
| 42 | Indiana | $52,483 | $25.23 |
| 43 | Alaska | $58,845 | $28.29 |
| 44 | Georgia | $56,210 | $27.02 |
| 45 | Maine | $57,736 | $27.76 |
| 46 | Oregon | $58,506 | $28.13 |
| 47 | Hawaii | $61,748 | $29.69 |
| 48 | Arizona | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| 49 | Colorado | $56,385 | $27.11 |
| 50 | New Hampshire | $55,831 | $26.84 |
| 51 | Florida | $48,446 | $23.29 |
Highest paying cities for semi truck drivers
The highest-paying cities for semi truck drivers are Bismarck, ND, Chicago, IL, and Bridgeport, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck, ND | $78,396 | $37.69 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| 3 | Bridgeport, CT | $68,091 | $32.74 |
| 4 | Albany, NY | $67,214 | $32.31 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $66,612 | $32.02 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,447 | $31.95 |
| 7 | Allentown, PA | $62,903 | $30.24 |
| 8 | Hackensack, NJ | $62,541 | $30.07 |
| 9 | Cedar City, UT | $61,144 | $29.40 |
| 10 | Lakewood, OH | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| 11 | De Pere, WI | $60,986 | $29.32 |
| 12 | Kansas City, MO | $60,848 | $29.25 |
| 13 | Dallas, TX | $60,534 | $29.10 |
| 14 | Kentwood, MI | $60,393 | $29.04 |
| 15 | Montebello, CA | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| 16 | Dodge City, KS | $56,951 | $27.38 |
| 17 | Bullhead City, AZ | $56,005 | $26.93 |
| 18 | Derry, NH | $55,921 | $26.89 |
| 19 | Gary, IN | $52,770 | $25.37 |
Semi truck driver salary details
A semi truck driver's salary ranges from $38,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $86,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a semi truck driver's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $86,000 | $7,167 | $41 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| Average | $57,712 | $4,809 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
Highest paying semi truck driver jobs
The highest paying types of semi truck drivers are truck driver-over-the-road, commercial truck driver, and truck driver class a.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver/Mover | $32,318 | $2,693 | $15.54 | 929,748 |
| CDL Driver | $63,112 | $5,259 | $30.34 | 784,044 |
| Van Driver | $36,254 | $3,021 | $17.43 | 791,293 |
| Driver | $34,771 | $2,898 | $16.72 | 1,017,998 |
| Local Driver | $48,160 | $4,013 | $23.15 | 786,531 |
| Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | $69,158 | $5,763 | $33.25 | 689,630 |
Top companies hiring semi truck drivers now:
Which companies pay semi truck drivers the most?
Semi truck driver salaries at Mid-South Management and Marvin and are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average semi truck driver salary at companies like Knight Transportation and Great Lakes Wine and Spirits are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mid-South Management | $78,878 | $37.92 |
| 2 | Marvin and | $64,015 | $30.78 |
| 3 | Knight Transportation | $59,376 | $28.55 |
| 4 | Great Lakes Wine and Spirits | $55,217 | $26.55 |
| 5 | A & M | $55,009 | $26.45 |
| 6 | Career Company in Silicon Valley | $53,604 | $25.77 |
| 7 | BlastOne | $53,410 | $25.68 |
| 8 | Croell Ready Mix | $53,352 | $25.65 |
| 9 | The Davey Tree Expert Company | $53,287 | $25.62 |
| 10 | Ruan | $52,451 | $25.22 |
| 11 | NEXTAFF | $51,472 | $24.75 |
| 12 | The Walt Disney Company | $47,238 | $22.71 |
| 13 | Indiana State Police | $33,933 | $16.31 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Semi Truck Driver salary by industry
The average semi truck driver salary varies across industries:
- The average semi truck driver salary in the transportation industry is $59,088, the highest of any industry.
- The average semi truck driver salary in the finance industry is $53,569.
- Semi truck drivers in the retail industry earn an average salary of $53,305, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for semi truck drivers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | $59,088 | $28.41 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $53,569 | $25.75 |
| 3 | Energy | $53,376 | $25.66 |
| 4 | Retail | $53,305 | $25.63 |
High paying semi truck driver jobs
Semi truck driver salary trends
The average semi truck driver salary has risen by $11,265 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average semi truck driver earned $46,447 annually, but today, they earn $57,712 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for semi truck drivers over the last decade.
Compare semi truck driver salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average semi truck driver salary over time
Compare semi truck driver salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Semi truck driver salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,700 | $27.75 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $55,400 | $26.65 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $53,500 | $25.72 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $52,000 | $25.01 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $50,600 | $24.34 | +2.6% |
Recently added semi truck driver salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Recycling | Semi-Truck Driver (Class A) | Klamath Falls, OR | 06/25/2025 | $50,088 |
| Hawkeye Community College | CDL Semi Truck Driving Instructor | Waterloo, IA | 06/18/2025 | $44,871 |
| Sunshine Disposal | Semi Truck Driver | Spokane Valley, WA | 04/16/2025 | $59,417 |
| Romac Industries | Semi-Truck Driver | Sultan, WA | 03/20/2025 | $50,088 |
| Lily Transportation | Regional Class A Semi-Truck Driver | Sayre, PA | 02/23/2025 | $120,003 |
| Lily Transportation | Regional Class A Semi-Truck Driver | Fine, NY | 02/23/2025 | $120,003 |
| Mycraftsource | #0218-Semi Truck | Benton, AR | 02/17/2025 | $27,110 |
| Pacific Recycling, Inc. | Semi-Truck Driver (Class A) | Eugene, OR | 02/16/2025 | $52,175 |
| Rogue Fitness | Semi Truck Driver-2Nd Shift | Columbus, OH | 02/16/2025 | $62,610 |
| Disney Worldwide Services | Semi-Truck Driver--Internal | Anaheim, CA | 02/12/2025 | $60,106 |
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