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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Truck Driver in North Carolina is $45,003 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.
However, an Entry Level Truck Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Level Truck Driver Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $49,814 | $4,151 | $958 | $24 |
| Average | $45,003 | $3,750 | $865 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,557 | $3,380 | $780 | $19 |
21st Century Personnel - Durham, NC
21st Century Personnel - Charlotte, NC
Smartlogisticsgroup - Greensboro, NC
Overhaul Carriers - Raleigh, NC
An Entry Level Truck Driver'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Truck Driver'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Entry Level Truck Driver | $45,188 |
| Intermediate Level Entry Level Truck Driver | $45,929 |
| Senior Level Entry Level Truck Driver | $47,673 |
| Specialist Level Entry Level Truck Driver | $47,911 |
| Expert Level Entry Level Truck Driver | $48,308 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Level Truck Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Entry Level Truck Driver 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, Entry Level Truck Driver positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Truck Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $63,004 | $30.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $58,504 | $28.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $56,254 | $27.0 | 25% |
| Chemicals | $54,004 | $26.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $51,753 | $25.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Entry Level Truck Driver'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $49,814 | $4,151 | $958 | $24 |
| Average | $45,003 | $3,750 | $865 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,557 | $3,380 | $780 | $19 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Truck Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
H&H Recruiting
Browns Summit, NC
Performance Foodservice
LA CROSSE, WI
Performance Foodservice | LA CROSSE, WI
Job Description: Position Details: Pay: Training rate is $29.70/hour. After training, our Drivers average $346.00 A DAY , with our top performers earning o... more
7 Days Ago
Performance Food Group
MANASSAS, VA
Performance Food Group | MANASSAS, VA
Performance Food Group is hiring Entry Level CDL Class A Truck Drivers to support our wholesale food distribution operations. In this role, you’ll safely t... more
11 Days Ago
PFG Customized
WHITE PIGEON, MI
PFG Customized | WHITE PIGEON, MI
PFG Customized, a division of Performance Food Group, is hiring entry-level Class A Drivers to support our fast-paced foodservice distribution operations. ... more
6 Days Ago
PFG Customized
STURGIS, MI
PFG Customized | STURGIS, MI
PFG Customized, a division of Performance Food Group, is seeking Entry Level Drivers to support our wholesale foodservice distribution operations. In this ... more
6 Days Ago
PFG Customized
KENDALLVILLE, IN
PFG Customized | KENDALLVILLE, IN
PFG Customized, a division of Performance Food Group, is seeking Entry Level Drivers to support our wholesale foodservice distribution operations. In this ... more
6 Days Ago
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