"How much does it pay?" is the first question every driver asks, and the answer you usually get is a number at the top of an ad. Here is what the data looks like when you put hundreds of real openings side by side.
The government number
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median of $58,640 a year ($28.19 an hour) for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers as of May 2025. In truck transportation specifically, the median was $60,320. That includes everyone, from brand-new drivers to 30-year veterans.
What current CDL-A openings advertise
We looked at the 445 jobs in our database that state an average or typical weekly pay (updated October 2026). The middle job pays about $1,400 a week, roughly $72,800 a year. By type of job:
| Type of job | Typical weekly pay (median) |
|---|---|
| Local | $1,550 |
| Dedicated | $1,400 |
| Intermodal | $1,520 |
| Regional | $1,300 |
| Over-the-road (OTR) | $1,200 |
| Yard / shuttle | $1,200 |
And by home time:
| Home time | Typical weekly pay (median) |
|---|---|
| Home daily | $1,390 |
| Home weekly | $1,400 |
| Out 2 weeks or more | $1,300 |
Yes, you read that right: in today's market, local and dedicated jobs often pay as much as or more than OTR. The old rule "stay out longer, earn more" is weaker than it used to be, mostly because local and dedicated jobs pay by the hour or by the load and OTR pay depends on miles you may not get.
By trailer type
| Trailer | Typical weekly pay (median) |
|---|---|
| Dry van | $1,400 |
| Reefer | $1,300 |
| Flatbed | $1,450 |
| Intermodal container | $1,400 |
How to read any pay number
- "Average" means some drivers make less. Ask what a driver in their first 90 days usually makes.
- "Up to" is a ceiling, not a promise. Per-mile rates usually rise with experience.
- Weekly beats yearly. A yearly number hides weeks with low miles, unpaid time off and slow seasons.
- Ask what is paid besides driving: detention, layovers, breakdowns, extra stops, unloading.
These are advertised averages from carriers, not guarantees. Pay depends on the account, your experience and the miles available.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook (May 2025 data) · Better Today job database (660 openings, updated October 2026).
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