How much does a CDL-A job in North Carolina really pay, and how much of it do you keep? We pulled the numbers from our own job database and ran them through 2026 tax rates.
What North Carolina CDL-A jobs pay right now
In our database there are 47 open CDL-A jobs that hire drivers in North Carolina, and 36 of them list an average pay figure from the carrier.
| Weekly pay (carrier-reported average) | |
|---|---|
| Middle of the pack (median) | $1,300 |
| Lower quarter of jobs | $1,200 or less |
| Top quarter of jobs | $1,510 or more |
Other numbers worth knowing:
- 7 of these jobs get you home daily, 14 home weekly.
- 5 are local and 12 are dedicated.
- 13 accept brand-new CDL-A drivers.
Why North Carolina is different
Charlotte and the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem) sit on I-85 and I-40, with large grocery, retail and manufacturing distribution centers. North Carolina has a good mix of regional runs home on weekends and dedicated jobs, and many carriers are based in the state. Ask how many nights out a "regional" job really means; in the Southeast it can range from 2 to 5.
What you keep after taxes
Take a driver in North Carolina at the median: about $1,300 a week, 50 working weeks, so about $65,000 a year as a W-2 company driver, single, standard deduction.
| Per year | |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | $65,000 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,620 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$2,085 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,972 |
| Take-home | $52,323 (about $1,046 a week) |
North Carolina tax in short: a flat 3.99% state income tax for 2026 with a $12,750 standard deduction for single filers. There is no local income tax, so the table above is close to what you'd really pay.
For comparison, the same paycheck in Texas (no state income tax) would leave about $2,085 more a year. Want to run your own numbers, or compare two offers after taxes? Use our free pay calculator: pick your state and it shows the take-home for both offers, including 1099 jobs.
These are estimates for a single filer with no other income, before health insurance, 401(k) and local taxes. Your real numbers depend on your situation; this is not tax advice.
Where the jobs are
Browse open North Carolina jobs by metro: Charlotte · Greensboro, or see all North Carolina CDL-A jobs.
Sources: pay figures are carrier-reported averages from our job database (October 2026); federal brackets and standard deduction from the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments; state rates from the Tax Foundation's 2026 state income tax table; Social Security wage base from the SSA.
Want a recruiter who answers these questions before you ask?
Tell us 4 things and we match you with CDL-A jobs you can actually get. Free for drivers.
