Truck Driver Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Truck drivers operate heavy commercial vehicles to transport goods across short and long distances, navigating routes, regulations, and increasingly complex logistics networks.
US Average
$59,710
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$57,737
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$48,775
on $57,990 · No state tax
Job Growth
4%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032)
Key Facts — Truck Driver 2026
BLS median: $54,320 for heavy/tractor-trailer drivers (BLS May 2023 OES)
Owner-operators routinely clear $130K+ with established business operations
Texas oil-field hauling (Permian, Eagle Ford) is uniquely lucrative cyclical specialty
CA AB5 reshaped owner-operator economics — TX/FL more contractor-friendly
Industry consolidation continues — major fleets (Knight-Swift, JBHunt) growing
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Truck Drivers across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$40,140
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$34,432
25th percentile
$47,960
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$40,716
Median
$58,640
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$49,297
75th percentile
$69,120
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$57,456
Top 10%
$79,380
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$64,674
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Owner-Operator | $121,800 | +110% |
| Tanker Driver (HazMat) | $87,000 | +50% |
| Oil & Gas (Permian/Eagle Ford) | $89,900 | +55% |
| Port Drayage (LA/LB, NY/NJ) | $75,400 | +30% |
| Lineman / Utility (Storm Response) | $78,300 | +35% |
| Local Delivery (LTL/Parcel) | $52,200 | -10% |
Best States for Truck Drivers — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Truck Driver Salary by State — All 50 States
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $69,520 | $57,737 | |
| $68,230 | $56,830 | |
| $65,010 | $54,416 | |
| $66,770 | $53,381 | |
| $63,330 | $53,066 | |
| $63,180 | $52,945 | |
| $65,780 | $51,764 | |
| $63,650 | $51,231 | |
| $60,600 | $50,872 | |
| $60,440 | $50,744 | |
| $63,630 | $50,503 | |
| $63,570 | $50,300 | |
13Ohio | $60,660 | $49,694 |
14Vermont | $61,100 | $49,671 |
| $62,020 | $49,446 | |
| $61,980 | $49,435 | |
17Illinois | $62,430 | $49,397 |
18Indiana | $60,950 | $49,385 |
19Oregon | $64,080 | $49,376 |
| $58,550 | $49,225 | |
21Iowa | $60,070 | $48,815 |
22Utah | $60,900 | $48,814 |
| $57,990 | $48,775 | |
24Nebraska | $60,070 | $48,593 |
25Arizona | $58,870 | $48,413 |
26Kentucky | $59,870 | $48,308 |
| $59,640 | $48,270 | |
28Kansas | $60,480 | $48,201 |
29Hawaii | $60,850 | $47,948 |
| $59,660 | $47,840 | |
31Montana | $59,180 | $47,706 |
32Idaho | $59,160 | $47,688 |
| $58,890 | $47,483 | |
34Maryland | $60,590 | $47,134 |
35Arkansas | $57,390 | $46,657 |
36Georgia | $57,780 | $46,472 |
37Oklahoma | $57,670 | $46,468 |
| $54,850 | $46,252 | |
39Missouri | $56,830 | $46,142 |
40Virginia | $57,770 | $46,091 |
41Delaware | $57,380 | $45,777 |
| $55,910 | $45,599 | |
| $55,680 | $45,543 | |
44Michigan | $56,370 | $45,328 |
| $55,810 | $45,305 | |
46Maine | $55,980 | $45,059 |
47Alabama | $56,230 | $45,018 |
| $53,100 | $43,516 | |
| $52,440 | $42,768 | |
| $51,930 | $42,723 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Truck Driver
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Truck Driver Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$45,018
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$57,737
net
Arizona
$48,413
net
Arkansas
$46,657
net
California
$49,446
net
Colorado
$51,231
net
Connecticut
$49,435
net
Delaware
$45,777
net
FloridaNo state tax
$46,252
net
Georgia
$46,472
net
Hawaii
$47,948
net
Idaho
$47,688
net
Illinois
$49,397
net
Indiana
$49,385
net
Iowa
$48,815
net
Kansas
$48,201
net
Kentucky
$48,308
net
Louisiana
$42,723
net
Maine
$45,059
net
Maryland
$47,134
net
Massachusetts
$50,300
net
Michigan
$45,328
net
Minnesota
$50,503
net
Mississippi
$45,599
net
Missouri
$46,142
net
Montana
$47,706
net
Nebraska
$48,593
net
NevadaNo state tax
$54,416
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$50,872
net
New Jersey
$53,381
net
New Mexico
$43,516
net
New York
$51,764
net
North Carolina
$45,305
net
North Dakota
$53,066
net
Ohio
$49,694
net
Oklahoma
$46,468
net
Oregon
$49,376
net
Pennsylvania
$48,270
net
Rhode Island
$47,840
net
South Carolina
$45,543
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$49,225
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$50,744
net
TexasNo state tax
$48,775
net
Utah
$48,814
net
Vermont
$49,671
net
Virginia
$46,091
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$56,830
net
West Virginia
$42,768
net
Wisconsin
$47,483
net
WyomingNo state tax
$52,945
net