Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers play a major role in moving goods across the country, with a large national workforce of 2,235,000 people. The career offers a structured path into a skilled occupation that typically requires a postsecondary nondegree award, making it accessible to those who do not plan to complete a four-year degree. Nationally, the median annual salary is $57,440, and there are an estimated 238,000 annual openings, indicating frequent hiring opportunities. A projected 4.0% employment growth suggests that jobs are expected to expand over time. Top skills for this field include fine motor abilities, mechanical knowledge, detail orientation, physical strength and stamina, and customer service. Problem solving, decision making, adaptability, and comfort with computers, science, and mathematics also support long-term success. Overall, this occupation can appeal to people who want steady, skill-based work with clear training requirements and multiple geographic options.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a national median annual salary of $57,440, with many locations offering higher median pay. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $60,230 in California to $64,760 in Washington, with Massachusetts and New York also above $62,000. Colorado’s median of $61,500 sits in the same general band, suggesting relatively consistent earning potential across these leading states. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area shows a median salary of $70,730, while the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro offers $65,040 and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area offers $66,450. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also provide median salaries close to or above $60,000. Together, these figures indicate that drivers can access a wide range of pay levels depending on location choice.
This occupation has a large national employment base of 2,235,000 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, which reflects extensive demand for this type of work. Projected employment growth of 4.0% indicates that overall job numbers are expected to increase over time. In addition to growth, the occupation is characterized by a high volume of hiring activity, with an estimated 238,000 annual openings. This combination of existing jobs, projected expansion, and frequent openings points to ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced drivers seeking new positions. The 4.0% growth rate is consistent across the highlighted states—California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington—and across the top metro areas, including San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, New York-Newark-Jersey City, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton. For individuals considering long-term employment in this field, the data suggest a stable and steadily growing labor market.
Location choices can significantly shape the experience of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Among states, California stands out with 205,090 employed drivers, a median salary of $60,230, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York combine higher median salaries—$63,030 and $62,050—with opportunity scores around 66, while employing 30,890 and 63,700 drivers, respectively. Washington and Colorado also offer median salaries above $61,000, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s, suggesting a solid mix of pay and opportunity even with smaller employment counts than California. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reaches the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and the highest median salary at $70,730, though with a relatively modest employment level of 5,360. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro closely follows with an opportunity score of 77.27 and 65,100 employed drivers. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton offer balanced combinations of salaries near or above $60,000 and substantial employment.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers typically enter the field with a postsecondary nondegree award, providing a clear and focused educational path that does not require a traditional four-year degree. This training can help build the skills that are important in the occupation. Fine motor skills and mechanical abilities are central, and physical strength and stamina support the physical demands of the work. Being detail oriented and having strong problem solving and decision making skills are also important. Customer service capabilities contribute to the people-facing aspects of the role. In addition, adaptability and comfort with computers and information technology, science, and mathematics help drivers function effectively in modern work environments. Individuals who are prepared to complete the required postsecondary training and develop these skills can position themselves competitively for opportunities in this large, steadily growing occupation.
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