Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,400
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,320
- 50th Percentile — Median$51,530
- 75th Percentile — Senior$62,640
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$76,360
Half of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in North Carolina earn more than $51,530. The top 10% make $76,360 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,400.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay, at $55,810 per year (6.5% below the U.S. average of $59,710).
- 62,400 people work as Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in North Carolina — 3.0% of all U.S. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.95: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,400; the top 10% earn over $76,360.
- Hourly equivalent: $26.83 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $69,520.
- Among transportation jobs in North Carolina, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($148,500).
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers here earn $55,810 on average, placing the state 46th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $55,810 is roughly equivalent to $61,330 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($56,370), Alabama ($56,230), Maine ($55,980) are the closest alternatives for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $148,500/yr North Carolina +166.1% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $138,680/yr North Carolina +148.5% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $136,490/yr North Carolina +144.6% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $88,120/yr North Carolina +57.9% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $79,180/yr North Carolina +41.9% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $61,880/yr North Carolina +10.9% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $43,960/yr North Carolina 21.2% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $42,660/yr North Carolina 23.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in North Carolina?
The average Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in North Carolina is $55,810 per year (median $51,530), which is 6.5% below the national average of $59,710.
How does North Carolina rank for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay?
North Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($69,520/yr).
How much do entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in North Carolina earn about $39,400 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,320.
How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make per hour in North Carolina?
About $26.83 per hour, based on the $55,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 62,400 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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