CDL Class A Truck Driver Salary in the United States

How much does a CDL Class A Truck Driver make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CDL Class A Truck Driver in the United States is $47,511 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a CDL Class A Truck Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $58,073
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,241 to $53,039
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,354
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,241 10% $39,354 90% $58,073 75% $53,039 $47,511 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

CDL Class A Truck Driver Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $53,039 $4,420 $1,020 $25
Average $47,511 $3,959 $914 $23
25th Percentile $43,241 $3,603 $832 $21
Check out CDL Class A Truck Driver Job Openings in the United States
Class A CDL Truck Driver - Regional

DLM Professional - Columbus, OH

Class A CDL Truck Driver - Nationwide Travel

Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Class A Cdl Truck Driver - Nationwide Travel

Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc. - Columbus, OH

CDL Class A Truck Driver - Home Weekly - CDL Graduates OK

Beast Mode Truckin - Columbus, OH

Search More CDL Class A Truck Driver Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence CDL Class A Truck Driver Salaries

A CDL Class A 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.

How Experience Level Affects CDL Class A Truck Driver Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CDL Class A 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $46,344
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $47,104
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $48,893
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $49,137
  • Expert (over 8 years): $49,543
Levels Salary
Entry Level CDL Class A Truck Driver$46,344
Intermediate Level CDL Class A Truck Driver$47,104
Senior Level CDL Class A Truck Driver$48,893
Specialist Level CDL Class A Truck Driver$49,137
Expert Level CDL Class A Truck Driver$49,543
$46,344 0 yr
$47,104 < 2 yrs
$48,893 2-4 yrs
$49,137 5-8 yrs
$49,543 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for CDL Class A Truck 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: $59,925
  • San Francisco: $59,269
  • Oakland: $58,020

What Skills Can Increase a CDL Class A Truck Driver'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 CDL Class A Truck Driver'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
$49,886
5%
Decision Making
$49,886
5%
Leadership
$48,936
3%
Verbal Communication
$48,461
2%
Initiative
$48,461
2%
Integrity
$48,461
2%
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CDL Class A Truck Driver Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CDL Class A 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, CDL Class A Truck Driver positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CDL Class A Truck Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CDL Class A Truck Driver

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$66,515$32.040%
Energy & Utilities$61,764$30.030%
Pharmaceuticals$59,388$29.025%
Chemicals$57,013$27.020%
Financial Services$54,637$26.015%

CDL Class A Truck Driver Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CDL Class A 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for CDL Class A Truck Driver

Salaries for a CDL Class A Truck Driver can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,357 in 2023 to around $45,789 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CDL Class A Truck Driver salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CDL Class A Truck Driver Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,357
2024
$46,287
2025
$45,789
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,357
2024 $46,287
2025 $45,789
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for CDL Class A Truck Driver

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CDL Class A Truck Driver

Here are companies hiring for CDL Class A Truck Driver and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next CDL Class A Truck Driver Job

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

United States
  • Beast Mode Truckin

    Columbus, OH

    Beast Mode Truckin | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Beast Mode Truckin seeks Class A CDL drivers for a dedicated dry van account. This is a predictable, weekly‑home opportun... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Ryder

    Columbus, OH

    Ryder | Columbus, OH

    Truck Driver CDL Class A Regional. Ryder is hiring a Class A CDL Truck Driver in Columbus, OH offering weekly pay, excellent benefits, and a driving career... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Performance Food Group

    Columbus, OH

    Performance Food Group | Columbus, OH

    Performance Food Group - - Responsibilities: Deliver and unload food and food related products to customers in a safe and timely manner. Communicate profes... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Centerline Drivers

    Columbus, OH

    Centerline Drivers | Columbus, OH

    Local Class A CDL Truck Driver. Industry: Transportation. Job Type: Local. Pay Rate: $24.00 - $28.00. Work Hours: Day Shift, Full Time, Night Shift, Part T... more

    7 Days Ago

  • 10-4 Logistics USA

    Columbus, OH

    10-4 Logistics USA | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. 10-4 Logistics USA. is actively hiring full-time W-2 company drivers to run dry van freight across our over-the-road (OTR... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Hogan Transportation

    Columbus, OH

    Hogan Transportation | Columbus, OH

    CDL-B Truck Drivers - $21/Hour - Home Daily. Pay & Benefits:$21/Hour Time and a Half Pay after 40 hoursEarn $45,000-$50,000 AnnuallyUnlimited Driver Referr... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about CDL Class A Truck Driver

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CDL Class A Truck Driver?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CDL Class A Truck Driver 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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