If you are comparing CDL driver pay by state, start with one official wage benchmark and then compare it with current openings. Freight, wages, commute, weather, and home-time patterns vary by market. The latest full BLS state wage tables available as of this review are the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, released in May 2026.
What is the average CDL driver pay by state?
The May 2025 BLS table for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032) reports the following highest mean annual wages among the states and District of Columbia. These are wage-and-salary benchmarks, not guaranteed CDL job offers, and they exclude self-employed owner-operators.
| Location | Mean annual wage | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $69,520 | $70,100 |
| Washington | $68,230 | $64,760 |
| District of Columbia | $67,710 | $64,170 |
| New Jersey | $66,770 | $63,570 |
| New York | $65,780 | $62,050 |
| Nevada | $65,010 | $62,290 |
For all 50 states and D.C., including hourly wages and 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles, use the full CDL salary and pay-by-state table. A higher state mean does not guarantee a higher take-home result after route, home time, living costs, benefits, and unpaid waiting time.
CDL driver pay by state: use one official benchmark
Use the same occupation and measure for every state. BLS occupation 53-3032 covers heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers and excludes self-employed workers. Compare median or mean hourly wage consistently; do not mix a state mean with a national median or a job-board estimate. Then compare those numbers with actual carrier postings.
Map freight to the route you want
- Ports and intermodal hubs can support drayage and regional work.
- Large distribution markets can create dedicated, LTL, local, and regional routes.
- Manufacturing and energy markets may create specialized flatbed, tanker, or heavy-haul demand.
- Agricultural regions can be seasonal and may require different trailers or schedules.
Compare the full weekly outcome
For each offer, estimate realistic paid miles or hours, unpaid waiting time, commute, parking, benefits cost, and days away. A local hourly job can outperform an OTR offer for one driver and not another. Use the CDL salary calculator for a consistent comparison and confirm assumptions with the recruiter.
Check licensing and operating details
A CDL is issued by the driver's home state, and a driver may hold only one license. Moving can trigger transfer deadlines and state documentation rules. Intrastate age, medical, and exception rules can differ. Hazmat work also involves TSA and state steps, while port work may require credentials such as TWIC.
Build a state shortlist
- Choose a route type: local, regional, dedicated, or OTR.
- Choose required equipment and endorsements.
- Compare BLS state wages for a broad benchmark.
- Collect at least five current postings in each target market.
- Score pay, home time, commute, benefits, safety, and equipment.
- Verify the company and final offer before relocating.
Browse current state landing pages
Start with active listings for Texas CDL jobs, Pennsylvania CDL jobs, California CDL jobs, and Georgia CDL jobs, or open the national CDL jobs directory. Availability changes, so the listing date and carrier confirmation matter more than an old hiring-demand claim.