Truck driver salaries vary widely depending on factors such as experience, type of driving, location, and load type.
United States
- The average truck driver salary is about $83,158 per year but can range from $54,502 to $189,320 annually depending on job specifics
- Owner-operators, who run their own trucking business, can earn between $190,140 and $541,624 annually, reflecting their business responsibilities and workload
- Team truck drivers, who drive in pairs to keep loads moving longer hours, average around $119,464 per year , with a wide range from $11,000 to $239,000 depending on routes and demand
- Regional drivers, who operate within specific areas, earn about $75,877 annually on average, with variations based on region and company
- Specialized drivers such as tanker drivers and hazmat drivers earn between $61,000 and $62,000 on average, reflecting the higher risks and skills required
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for heavy-duty and tractor-trailer truckers was $54,320 per year or about $26.12 per hour in 2023
- Some sources report average hourly wages for OTR (over-the-road) drivers around $20/hour and local drivers around $25/hour including overtime
Europe (Germany example)
- In Germany, truck drivers earn roughly €2,800 per month gross on average, which translates to about €33,600 annually before taxes
- Entry-level drivers start at about €18 per hour , while experienced drivers (10+ years) can earn up to €27 per hour
- Annual salaries range from around €34,000 for new drivers to about €36,700 for very experienced drivers , with bonuses averaging around €1,200 per year
- Hourly wages for truck drivers in Europe generally range from about €16.60 to €18.60 per hour depending on the country and type of driving
Summary
Region| Average Annual Salary| Hourly Wage Range| Notes
---|---|---|---
USA| $54,000 - $119,000+| $20 - $26+| Owner-operators can earn much more; team
drivers earn more than solo drivers238
Germany| €33,600 - €36,700+| €18 - €27| Bonuses and experience increase pay;
competitive compared to other European countries5
Europe (general)| Varies, e.g., Netherlands ~€36,800| ~€16.60 - €18.60|
Salaries vary by country and experience46
Truck driver salaries depend heavily on the type of driving (local, regional, long haul, team), the cargo (hazmat, tanker, dry van), experience, and whether the driver is an employee or owner-operator. Specialized and high-risk jobs typically pay more due to the added responsibility and danger involved
