Where you drive matters almost as much as what you drive. Truck driver salaries vary by as much as $20,000/year depending on your state.
Top 10 Highest Paying States
| State | Average Salary | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $72,000 | $98,000+ |
| Washington | $68,000 | $92,000+ |
| California | $67,000 | $90,000+ |
| New York | $65,000 | $88,000+ |
| Massachusetts | $64,000 | $86,000+ |
| New Jersey | $63,000 | $85,000+ |
| Connecticut | $62,000 | $84,000+ |
| Colorado | $61,000 | $83,000+ |
| Maryland | $61,000 | $83,000+ |
| Oregon | $60,000 | $82,000+ |
States With the Most Trucking Jobs
- Texas — 95,000+ CDL jobs
- California — 82,000+ CDL jobs
- Florida — 55,000+ CDL jobs
- Ohio — 45,000+ CDL jobs
- Pennsylvania — 44,000+ CDL jobs
Local vs Regional vs OTR Pay
- OTR: $0.55–$0.75/mile · $65,000–$90,000/year
- Regional: $0.50–$0.65/mile · $60,000–$80,000/year · home weekly
- Local: $22–$30/hour · $50,000–$70,000/year · home daily
How to Maximize Earnings
- Add HazMat or Tanker endorsement (+$5,000–$15,000/year)
- Target high-demand freight lanes
- Work for companies with performance bonuses
- After 2 years, move to a private fleet
