Heavy Truck Driver
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
SOC 53-3032
How Much Does a Heavy Truck Driver Make?
The national median salary for a Heavy Truck Driver is $54,320 per year ($26.12/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 17% below the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Heavy Truck Driver
CDL training program (3-6 weeks). Must be 21+ for interstate.
CDL REQUIRED; DOT medical card; ELDT program
This career has relatively low barriers to entry compared to similar roles.
Heavy Truck Driver Job Outlook
Faster than avg — the BLS projects 4% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's faster than the average across all occupations (4%).
About 237,600 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
E-commerce shipping; freight demand. 237K annual openings.
What It's Like to Work as a Heavy Truck Driver
This role involves significant physical labor.
This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov