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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Freight Driver in Iowa is $45,999 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.
However, a Freight Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Freight Driver Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $51,352 | $4,279 | $988 | $25 |
| Average | $45,999 | $3,833 | $885 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,865 | $3,489 | $805 | $20 |
Lightning Logistics, LLC - Des Moines, IA
Lightning Logistics - Des Moines, IA
4th Day Trucking - Fort Dodge, IA
4th Day Trucking - Ottumwa, IA
A Freight 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 a Freight 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 Freight Driver | $44,870 |
| Intermediate Level Freight Driver | $45,606 |
| Senior Level Freight Driver | $47,338 |
| Specialist Level Freight Driver | $47,574 |
| Expert Level Freight Driver | $47,967 |
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 Freight 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 Freight 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, Freight Driver positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Freight Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $64,399 | $31.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $59,799 | $29.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $57,499 | $28.0 | 25% |
| Chemicals | $55,199 | $27.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $52,899 | $25.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Freight 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 | $51,352 | $4,279 | $988 | $25 |
| Average | $45,999 | $3,833 | $885 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,865 | $3,489 | $805 | $20 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Freight Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
4th Day Trucking
Grinnell, IA
4th Day Trucking | Grinnell, IA
Dedicated Dollar Tree Account, Solo Position, Home Weekly/, Earn $1,700 avg. weeklyCompensation:Average Weekly: $1,700Average Annualized: $88,400Top Weekly... more
8 Days Ago
ASB Freight Co.
Walcott, IA
ASB Freight Co. | Walcott, IA
Position Overview:We're hiring experienced Class A CDL drivers for a Midwest Regional position offering weekly home time, predictable routes, and competiti... more
8 Days Ago
NursingPro Staffing
Davenport, IA
NursingPro Staffing | Davenport, IA
CDL Driver-Local No-Touch Freight. Davenport, IA, United States. $ 1,350.00 - 1,362.00 (US Dollar). About the job CDL Driver-Local No-Touch Freight. AVG PA... more
8 Days Ago
Pure Freight Lines
Cedar Rapids, IA
Pure Freight Lines | Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Description. Job Description. PURE FREIGHT LINES is looking for experienced Class A CDL Drivers OTR drivers. DEDICATED LANES JUST OPENED. LIMITED SPOTS... more
10 Days Ago
K&B Transportation
Cedar Rapids, IA
Decker Truck Line
Cedar Rapids, IA
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