Drivers Salary in the United States

How much does a Drivers make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drivers in the United States is $48,204 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Drivers's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $58,048
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,442 to $53,357
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,106
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,442 10% $39,106 90% $58,048 75% $53,357 $48,204 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Drivers Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $53,357 $4,446 $1,026 $26
Average $48,204 $4,017 $927 $23
25th Percentile $43,442 $3,620 $835 $21
Check out Drivers Job Openings in the United States
Student Drivers

Classic Carriers Inc - Columbus, OH

Bus Drivers

Bedford County Schools - Columbus, OH

Kitchen Drivers

Mid-Ohio Food Collective - Columbus, OH

Will Train Drivers

H&H Recruiting - Columbus, OH

Search More Drivers Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Drivers Salaries

A Drivers's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Drivers Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drivers's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $48,402
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,196
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,064
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $51,319
  • Expert (over 8 years): $51,744
Levels Salary
Entry Level Drivers$48,402
Intermediate Level Drivers$49,196
Senior Level Drivers$51,064
Specialist Level Drivers$51,319
Expert Level Drivers$51,744
$48,402 0 yr
$49,196 < 2 yrs
$51,064 2-4 yrs
$51,319 5-8 yrs
$51,744 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Drivers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $60,800
  • San Francisco: $60,134
  • Oakland: $58,867

What Skills Can Increase a Drivers's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 22.4% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Consumer Electronics (Mentioned in 2.7% Job Postings): Consumer electronics (CE) refers to any electronic devices designed to be purchased and used by end users or consumers for daily and non-commercial/professional purposes. Consumer electronics are among the most commonly used form of electronic, computing and communication devices.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 22.4%
Consumer Electronics 2.7%
Product Quality 1.88%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Drivers's salary.
  • Product Knowledge: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Knowledge
$50,614
5%
Decision Making
$50,614
5%
Leadership
$49,650
3%
Verbal Communication
$49,168
2%
Initiative
$49,168
2%
Integrity
$49,168
2%
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Drivers Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Drivers roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 106% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Drivers positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Drivers as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Drivers

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$67,486$32.040%
Energy & Utilities$62,665$30.030%
Pharmaceuticals$60,255$29.025%
Chemicals$57,845$28.020%
Financial Services$55,435$27.015%

Drivers Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Drivers's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Drivers

Salaries for a Drivers can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,460 in 2023 to around $47,822 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Drivers salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Drivers Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,460
2024
$48,343
2025
$47,822
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,460
2024 $48,343
2025 $47,822
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Drivers

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Drivers

Here are companies hiring for Drivers and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Drivers Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Drivers job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • RidenRoll

    Columbus, OH

    RidenRoll | Columbus, OH

    1099 Contractor Drivers. Your safety is our top priority. Company Overview: RidenRoll offers SaaS and Employer Support Services. RidenRoll.com is a Califor... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Towne Park

    Columbus, OH

    Towne Park | Columbus, OH

    Valet Drivers - OSU Medical Center. Starting pay $15 per hour PLUS tips and bonuses. Medical benefits offered to all full and part time employees. No exper... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Wick TR

    Columbus, OH

    Wick TR | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Class A drivers get home weekly (almost always weekends) while earning $1980-$2040/WK with full benefits and a sign on bo... more

    5 Days Ago

  • National Carrier Xpress Corp

    Columbus, OH

    National Carrier Xpress Corp | Columbus, OH

    Overview:National Carrier Xpress Corp is hiring CDL-A OTR drivers for steady Live loads and Amazon.We offer strong weekly pay, late-model 2022-2025 Freight... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Crete Carrier

    Columbus, OH

    Crete Carrier | Columbus, OH

    Join Our Team of CDL A Drivers. At our company, we pride ourselves on being a Certified Top Pay Carrier. Our drivers in the top 50 percent earn an impressi... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Montgomery County Educational Service Center

    Columbus, OH

    Montgomery County Educational Service Center | Columbus, OH

    Madison-Plains Local School District Job Posting. The Madison-Plains Local School District has the following positions available for the 2023-2024 school y... more

    3 Days Ago

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FAQ about Drivers

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Drivers?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Drivers roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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