SOC 533032

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers. Excludes "Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors" (53-7081).

National Median

$57,440

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$57,440

Entry Level (10th pct)

$38,640

Experienced (90th pct)

$78,800

Total Employed

2,070,480

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$38,640 - $47,230
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$47,230 - $65,520
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$65,520 - $78,800

Highest Paying Locations for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Lincoln, NE

$92,890

+61.7% vs national

Fairbanks-College, AK

$73,540

+28.0% vs national

Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area

$73,500

+28.0% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$69,290

+20.6% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$65,540

+14.1% vs national

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Lincoln, NE	$92,890	4,700
Fairbanks-College, AK	$73,540	610
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$73,500	2,020
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$69,290	21,220
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$65,540	4,980
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$65,220	64,440
Muncie, IN	$64,980	620
Alaska	$64,890	3,240
New Jersey	$64,720	49,450
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$64,630	1,050
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$64,210	16,870
Anchorage, AK	$63,910	1,570
Washington	$63,760	40,700
District of Columbia	$63,610	830
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$63,530	2,080
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$63,500	14,460
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$63,170	19,770
Bend, OR	$63,140	1,350
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$63,060	720
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$62,880	15,420
Boulder, CO	$62,820	660
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$62,650	450
Reno, NV	$62,530	5,260
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$62,520	480
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$62,430	54,680
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$62,160	12,080
Warner Robins, GA	$62,080	740
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$62,060	1,170
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	$61,990	670
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$61,960	570
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$61,910	2,220
Rochester, MN	$61,890	1,260
Bozeman, MT	$61,870	610
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$61,780	2,990
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$61,750	19,340
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$61,720	2,150
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$61,680	1,630
Cheyenne, WY	$61,650	1,060
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$61,530	20,220
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$61,480	1,810
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$61,320	4,030
Oregon	$61,180	24,720
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$61,140	10,490
Bellingham, WA	$61,140	1,170
Minnesota	$61,090	38,530
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$61,010	6,730
Nevada	$60,900	17,430
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$60,890	6,470
Carson City, NV	$60,840	150
Longview-Kelso, WA	$60,810	750

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?

The national median annual salary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers is $57,440, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss is Lincoln, NE, with a median salary of $92,890.

How much can an experienced Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make?

Top-earning Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss (90th percentile) make $78,800 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.