📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Very High Demand
Average
$59,710
per year
Median
$58,640
per year
Hourly
$28.71
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,102
25th Percentile — Junior$49,950
50th Percentile — Median$58,640
75th Percentile — Senior$67,608
90th Percentile — Top Earners$73,030
💡 The top 10% of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss earn $73,030 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $42,102, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$52.8k
2021
$54.1k
2022
$55.4k
2023
$56.8k
2024
$58.3k
2025
$59.7k
2026
📈 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries have grown 2.5% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $6,935.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $92,550 | +55.0% | Very High |
| District of Columbia | $90,759 | +52.0% | Very High |
| California | $84,788 | +42.0% | Very High |
| New York | $82,400 | +38.0% | Very High |
| Alaska | $78,817 | +32.0% | Very High |
| Massachusetts | $77,623 | +30.0% | Very High |
| New Jersey | $76,429 | +28.0% | Very High |
| Washington | $74,638 | +25.0% | Very High |
| Connecticut | $72,846 | +22.0% | Very High |
| Maryland | $68,666 | +15.0% | Very High |
| Rhode Island | $68,666 | +15.0% | Very High |
| New Hampshire | $68,069 | +14.0% | Very High |
| Oregon | $66,875 | +12.0% | Very High |
| Colorado | $65,681 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Virginia | $65,681 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Vermont | $64,487 | +8.0% | Very High |
| Delaware | $62,696 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Illinois | $62,696 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Maine | $60,904 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Nevada | $60,904 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Minnesota | $59,710 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Utah | $59,710 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Arizona | $59,113 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Pennsylvania | $59,113 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Florida | $58,516 | -2.0% | Very High |
| Montana | $56,724 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Texas | $56,724 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Georgia | $55,530 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Idaho | $55,530 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Wyoming | $55,530 | -7.0% | Very High |
| North Dakota | $54,933 | -8.0% | Very High |
| Wisconsin | $54,933 | -8.0% | Very High |
| North Carolina | $54,336 | -9.0% | Very High |
| Michigan | $53,739 | -10.0% | Very High |
| Louisiana | $52,545 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Nebraska | $52,545 | -12.0% | Very High |
| New Mexico | $52,545 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Ohio | $52,545 | -12.0% | Very High |
| South Carolina | $52,545 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Tennessee | $52,545 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Alabama | $51,948 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Missouri | $51,948 | -13.0% | Very High |
| South Dakota | $51,948 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Iowa | $51,351 | -14.0% | Very High |
| Indiana | $50,754 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Kansas | $50,754 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Oklahoma | $50,156 | -16.0% | Very High |
| Arkansas | $49,559 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Kentucky | $49,559 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Mississippi | $47,768 | -20.0% | Very High |
| West Virginia | $46,574 | -22.0% | Very High |
What Factors Affect Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss typically earn $42,102–$49,950 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $67,608–$73,030 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers role currently has very high demand in the job market with a 2.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Transportation sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?The average salary for a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the United States is $59,710 per year, with a median of $58,640.
-
What is the starting salary for a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss typically earn between $42,102 and $49,950 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $59,710, a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns approximately $28.71 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers a good career in 2026?Yes — the Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers role has very high demand with 2.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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