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Truck drivers play a crucial role in maintaining the nation’s supply chain, often working in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions to ensure that shipments are delivered. Their work is vital to the efficiency of the logistics industry, but the job often demands an isolating, sedentary lifestyle. Truckers typically receive competitive pay to compensate for these challenges, however, not all truckers are alike. There’s a variety of trucking jobs, each with different requirements of the driver. If you’re considering entering this field and want to know what kind of salary to expect, read on to find the internal and external factors that can affect your earnings.
How much does a truck driver make?
Several internal and external factors influence a truck driver’s earnings. The internal factors that affect a driver’s earnings include driving experience, certifications, route choice, and trailer type. Let’s start with the internal factors.
Internal Factors
Experience
Drivers with more experience earn more as it can signal to employers that the driver is reliable. Insurance costs are typically higher for inexperienced drivers, which can contribute to lower wages for drivers with less experience. CDL drivers with no experience can expect entry level wages. According to 256 salaries reported to Indeed, the average entry level salary for a CDL driver is $49,191 in 2024.
Experienced CDL drivers are able to negotiate for higher wages because they have a record of their reliability on the road and knowledge of industry regulations. For instance, a driver with five years of accident-free driving can leverage this record to secure a higher-paying position or negotiate better terms with their current employer.
According to Indeed data, truck drivers with 1-3 years of experience earn an average salary of $61,165 per year. Drivers with 4-6 years of experience have a total pay range of $53k – $87k, with the average around $60k. Note that years of experience is only one variable that influences pay, location, endorsements, trailer and route type have a significant influence on annual salary.
Certifications
Additional certifications can also translate to increased pay as the driver is capable of operating more types of vehicles or loads. For instance, endorsements for hazardous materials or oversized loads require specialized qualifications, and thus are expected to pay more. Naturally, drivers with more options and more marketable skills are in a position to get higher wages.
Route Choice
The length and type of a driver’s trips also an important factor in their salary. Routes are typically split into three categories: local, regional, and over-the-road (OTR) routes. OTR drivers earn more because they go further distances and spend much more time away from home. The lifestyle costs and value-added by going long-distances generally accounts for the higher pay for OTR drivers. The national average salary as of July 2024 for OTR drivers is $99,265 per year based on 5.7k reported salaries to Indeed. Lastly, companies often give different pay for different routes, and since local drivers are more likely to return home daily, regional drivers receive higher pay than local drivers.
| Route Type | Description | National Average Salary *For all years of experience |
| Local | Drivers return home daily, make deliveries in local area requiring less endorsements | $78,223 per year Glassdoor |
| Regional | Typically cover 1,000 miles per trip over several days within a specific region | $68,657 per year Glassdoor |
| Over-the-Road | Transports freight across long distances, away from home for weeks or months. | $88,339 per year Glassdoor $99,265 per year Indeed |
External Factors
Location
The region in which a driver operates significantly impacts their earnings, particularly for regional and local drivers. Areas with higher demand for goods transportation, such as major metropolitan regions or ports, tend to offer higher wages. For example, a truck driver operating in bustling hubs like Los Angeles or New York may earn more due to higher demand, while those in rural areas might see lower wages reflecting the local market conditions. Additionally, the cost of living in different regions can also influence pay rates.
Payment Methods
Truck drivers can be compensated in various ways, depending on the company’s policies. Common payment methods include:
- Per Mile: Drivers are paid based on the distance they cover, making this method popular for long-haul and OTR drivers.
- Per Hour: Often used for local or short-haul drivers, this method provides steady pay regardless of miles driven, compensating for time spent in traffic or loading/unloading.
- Per Week or Salary: Some companies offer weekly pay or a fixed salary, providing income stability, especially for company drivers or those on dedicated routes.
These payment structures can influence how much a driver earns overall, depending on the nature of the job and the routes they cover. For instance, an OTR driver paid per mile might earn significantly more during a busy season, while a local driver on an hourly rate enjoys consistent pay regardless of the number of deliveries.
Different Types of Truckers
There is plenty of opportunity for truckers to explore different types of trucking jobs, each varying in pay. Drivers are often required to obtain special certifications and training to take on riskier or more complex loads, which can lead to higher take-home pay due to the specialization. Below are the main categories of truck drivers along with brief descriptions of their roles and estimated salaries.
Different Types of Trucking Jobs
Truck driving encompasses various job types, each with different requirements and pay scales:
- Long-Haul Truck Drivers
Over-the-Road (OTR) drivers cover long distances and often spend weeks on the road, sometimes even delivering internationally. The region they pick up and deliver in significantly impacts their earnings, as does their specialization in certain types of freight. The following table from GlassDoor provides insights into how experience levels influence the salaries of long-haul drivers. The key takeaway from this table is that even drivers with less experience can earn a competitive salary, but years of experience consistently bring higher pay.
| GlassDoor Data For Long Haul Drivers in All Industries | ||||
| Experience | Total Pay Range | Average Salary | Base Pay | Additional Pay |
| 0-1 Year | $58K – $100K | $67,165 | $52K – $87K | $7K – $12K |
| 1-3 Years | $60K – $106K | $69,728 | $53K – $92K | $7K – $13K |
| 4-6 Years | $59K – $103K | $68,208 | $52K – $90K | $7K – $13K |
| 7-9 Years | $58K – $103K | $67,834 | $51K – $90K | $7K – $13K |
| 10-14 Years | $58K – $101K | $67,431 | $52K – $88K | $7K – $13K |
| 15 + Years | $59K – $99K | $66,995 | $52K – $86K | $7K – $12K |
| All Years | $71K – $124K | $82,660 | $63K – $109K | $8K – $15K |
- Short-Haul Truck Drivers
Short-Haul drivers typically operate within a specific region and return home within one to three days. Their predictable routes and schedules allow them to build a strong reputation with local shippers and receivers, which can lead to steady earnings. - Local Truck Drivers
Local truck drivers operate within their home region, making multiple deliveries each day and returning home nightly. This role offers a better work-life balance, with an average base salary of $65,208 per year, or $25.80 per hour. - Owner-Operators
Owner-Operators own their trucks and operate as independent contractors. They bear all operational costs but have more control over their schedules and routes. According to Indeed, the average salary for owner-operators is $323,754 per year, however, it’s important to note that owner-operators bear significant costs, including maintenance and fuel, which can drastically reduce their take-home pay. Actual take-home pay can vary widely depending on the expenses they incur. - Company Drivers
Company drivers are employed by a specific company and drive company-owned trucks. They receive a steady paycheck and benefits but have less flexibility. The average salary for company drivers is $106,449 per year, according to Indeed. - Dedicated Route Drivers
Dedicated route drivers follow predetermined routes and schedules, often serving regular customers. This provides a stable income, with the average salary being $52,207 per year. - Specialized Drivers
Specialized drivers, such as those handling refrigerated trucks (reefers), flatbeds for oversized loads, tanker trucks, or hazardous materials (hazmat), require specific skills and certifications. These roles often offer higher pay due to the added responsibility and expertise required.
Conclusion
Truck driving offers a wide range of earning potentials, influenced by the type of driving job, experience, region, and specialization. Whether you’re considering a role as a local driver, an owner-operator, or a specialized driver handling hazardous materials, understanding these variables can help you make informed decisions about your career in the trucking industry.
