The updated 2024 numbers are in, and they show that the pay for truck drivers increased nationwide!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages for truck drivers continue to be on the rise. Increasing from a national average of $50,340 in 2021 to an average of $55,990 in 2023. This upward trend is great news for truck drivers. Further, the top 10 percent of truckers in 2023 earned $76,780 or more!
Let’s take a look at top-paying states and industries for truck drivers.
Top-Paying States for Truck Drivers
- Alaska – $65,870
- New Jersey – $64,270
- Washington – $63,160
- New York – $60,910
The states with higher trucking wages tend to be those with a greater demand for truck drivers.
States with the Most Truck Drivers
- Texas – 212,770 Truck Drivers
- California – 204,190 Truck Drivers
- Florida – 101,920 Truck Drivers
- Pennsylvania – 89,920 Truck Drivers
- Ohio – 89,560 Truck Drivers
These states tend to have a higher concentration of trucking and logistics companies.
Top Paying Industries for Truck Drivers
- Motion Picture and Video – $87,150
- Telecommunications – $79,530
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution – $79,350
- Support Activities for Water Transportation – $72,080
- Charter Bus Industry – $68,870
These industries offer higher pay for truck drivers typically due to the specialized skills and demanding schedules involved.
Industries with the Most Truck Drivers
- Trucking/Transportation – 917,010 Truck Drivers
- Merchant Wholesalers/Nondurable Goods – 100,690 Truck Drivers
- Couriers and Express Delivery Services – 88,620 Truck Drivers
- Warehousing and Storage – 83,770 Truck Drivers
- Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing – 77,500 Truck Drivers
These industries having higher trucking employment levels is largely the result of increased consumer demand.
Employment Outlook for Truck Drivers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the trucking industry is expected to have an increased demand of 4 percent between now and 2032, which is as fast as the national average of all occupations. This translates to an estimated 241,200 added job openings for truck drivers each year throughout the next decade.
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More reading: What Should I Look For in a Trucking Employer?