How Much Do Truck Drivers Make? 10 Highest-Paying Trucking Salaries

davidf / Getty Images

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

If you are debating a career change, have a clean driving record and enjoy life on the open road, you may be delighted to find out what some trucking companies are paying long-haul truck drivers to transport goods across the United States. Whether you have years of experience or want to get started with truck driving school, this could be a high-paying career path for you.

10 Highest-Paying Truck Driver Salaries

The trucking industry isn’t just made up of one type of experienced driver. In fact, there are many different types of trucking gigs where the driver’s pay is an above-average salary. Get ready to hitch up some tractor-trailers and research truck driving companies as here are some of the best-paid truck driver jobs today based on annual salary:

1. Hazmat drivers
2. Ice road drivers
3. Mining industry drivers
4. Oversized load drivers
5. Owner operator
6. Private fleet driver
7. Regional truck drivers
8. Specialty vehicle haulers
9. Team truck drivers
10. Tanker drivers

1. Hazmat Drivers 

• Average truck driver salary: $70,475 to $85,000

This type of driving isn’t for the faint of heart as you would be responsible for transporting hazardous and dangerous things. These could be explosives, flammables, corrosives or poisonous materials. You do have to have a Hazmat endorsement to ensure you can transport this material both safely and legally.

2. Ice Road Drivers 

• Average truck driver salary: $66,917 to $120,000

As this is seasonal work, annual salaries aren’t as regular but ice road drivers tend to make around $30,000 to $40,000 in three months. So if you can find a way to extend your season or freelance out your specialty to places with colder climates, you could make a good living throughout the year. Though you must be over 21 years old, this has become a popular choice recently due to the History Channel show, “Ice Road Truckers.”

3. Mining Industry Drivers 

• Average truck driver salary: $62,868 to $108,160

This job is a bit more specific as mining industry drivers haul products on giant dump trucks throughout quarry and mining operations. As part of the industrial industry, these drivers are expected to be highly skilled and productive while operating safely in tighter or smaller spaces than the open road. 

4. Oversized Load Drivers 

• Average truck driver salary: $45,000 to $71,091

The difference between regular truck driving and hauling an oversized load is essentially the size of your cargo. It takes skill to maneuver loads pushing over 8.5 feet wide. Anything over 12 feet wide may even require two people to operate the shipment. 

5. Owner Operators 

• Average truck driver salary: $140,000 to $323,870

Though you do have high earning potential when you own a truck and negotiate your own deals, you are also responsible for all of the expenses associated with delivering goods. As with many jobs, with more responsibility and accountability comes more pay and profit. Once your bills and overhead are taken care of you can set your own salary.

6. Private Fleet Drivers 

• Average truck driver salary: $37,100 to $110,000

A private fleet driver works for chains, big retailers or regional stores shipping with an in-house team of trucks. They are used to transport the store’s goods to warehouses, other stores or directly to customers. You can find jobs like this at big box stores such as Walmart or more independent contractors like regional or local grocery stores such as H-E-B. 

7. Regional Truck Drivers 

• Average truck driver salary: $38,220 to $71,882

Regional truck drivers typically drive within a 1,000-mile radius of where the trucker primarily operates. This means you as the driver would cover in or around a few states. This position’s pay will vary depending on your location and the truck driving company for which you work. 

8. Specialty Vehicle Haulers 

• Average truck driver salary: $48,379 to $79,574

Specialty vehicles can refer to anything from specialty cars, classic cars, luxury brands and exotic sports cars. The owners of these vehicles typically don’t want a lot of miles put on them so they have them hauled from location to location. 

9. Team Truck Drivers 

• Average truck driver salary: $101,079 to $119,464

Team drivers can haul their cargo faster as it typically is a two-driver team where one person drives while the other sleeps. This means instead of a truck delivering goods from coast to coast taking six days, the shipment can get there in three. As this partnership style of driving improves efficiency, companies often compensate better for it.

10. Tanker Drivers

• Average truck driver salary: $90,894

Liquid or tanker drivers have their own specialty based on the physics and science it takes to haul large amounts of liquid and containers. This does not necessarily include hazmat materials, but just the sheer volume of the load being hauled can be problematic when the driver is forced to take a sharp corner or suddenly slam on the brakes. However, often the liquid material is highly flammable such as gasoline or propane and therefore every precaution should be taken.

Final Take To GO: How You Can Become a Truck Driver

If the salaries of some of these truck driving positions are enticing to you and you are over the age of 21, there are some steps you can take to start this new career path:

• Have a valid and updated driver’s license.
• Get a commercial learner’s permit.
• Earn your Class A or Class B CDL and add endorsements.

Data is accurate as of Oct. 11, 2023, and is subject to change.

Share This Article: