CDL Truck Driver
License requirements, cost and salary by state
CDL Truck Drivers operate commercial vehicles — tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbeds, and other heavy trucks — to transport goods across local routes or long-haul interstate highways. Getting a Commercial Driver's License requires passing written knowledge tests and a skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic controls, and road driving). Federal ELDT rules now require completing an approved training program before testing.
Time to certify
Required exam
Exam cost
Education
Renewal
Annual openings
What it's actually like
A day-to-day reality check, grounded in current practitioner sources — not just the salary math.
Hours / week
Shifts: Up to 14 hours on-duty, with a maximum of 11 hours driving.
Weekends
Where you work: truck cab, truck stops, rest areas.
Physical demand
HighRequires sitting for long periods, operating vehicle controls, and may involve loading/unloading heavy cargo.
Stress level
HighStress stems from long hours, tight deadlines, traffic, isolation, and time away from family.
A typical shift
- Perform a thorough pre-trip inspection of the truck and trailer, checking lights, tires, brakes, and fluid levels.
- Drive for up to 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty period, adhering to federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
- Communicate with dispatchers regarding routes, delivery schedules, and any issues that arise.
- Manage and complete paperwork, including logbooks, delivery records, and inspection reports.
- Maneuver the truck for loading and unloading at warehouses or distribution centers.
- Find safe and legal parking for mandatory rest periods, often at truck stops or rest areas.
- Conduct a post-trip inspection at the end of the shift to note any maintenance needs.
check_circle Best fit if
- —You are highly independent and comfortable with spending long periods of time alone.
- —You possess strong self-discipline and time management skills to adhere to strict schedules and regulations.
- —You remain calm and patient when dealing with unforeseen delays like traffic, weather, or mechanical issues.
- —You enjoy seeing different parts of the country and are adaptable to a constantly changing environment.
cancel Skip if
- —You require a predictable 9-to-5 schedule with weekends and holidays off.
- —You are not prepared to be away from home and family for days or weeks at a time.
- —You find long periods of sitting and solitude to be mentally and physically draining.
- —You have medical conditions that could interfere with safely operating a large vehicle for extended hours, such as issues with vision, hearing, or blood pressure.
Sources cited (21)
- susanmager.com
- epicvue.com
- bls.gov
- cnsprotects.com
- outsourcefinancialservices.com
- cunninghamandmears.com
- schneiderjobs.com
- wittebros.com
- iowacentral.edu
- allstatecareer.edu
- beltwaycompanies.com
- qualitycarriers.com
- its4logistics.com
- commercialtruckingschool.com
- qrsshops.com
- elitetruckschool.com
- advanced.edu
- driverresourcecenter.com
- reddit.com
- dat.com
- drivebigtrucks.com
The Landscape
While all 51 states consistently require a CDL license and a valid DOT medical certificate, the financial landscape for truck drivers varies dramatically across the nation. You’ll find a significant pay disparity, with median salaries ranging from Alaska's high of $70,100 down to Louisiana's low of $49,320, highlighting that location is a major factor in earning potential.
Regional patterns reveal that the highest-paying states are often concentrated in the West Coast (like Washington at $64,760 and Oregon at $61,980) and the Northeast corridor (New Jersey at $63,570, Massachusetts at $63,030). These areas typically come with a higher cost of living and complex logistics, driving up wages to attract and retain drivers. Alaska, topping the list, is a unique outlier due to its remote nature and specialized transportation challenges, which command premium pay despite its smaller job market of 3,420 employed drivers.
Conversely, the Southern and Southeast regions, including states like New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas, consistently show the lowest median salaries, often falling well below the national median of $58,640. This trend often correlates with a lower cost of living in these areas, but it's a critical consideration for your overall take-home pay. A key state-to-state difference to note is the age requirement: most states allow intrastate driving at 18 but mandate 21 for interstate commerce, a crucial distinction when planning your career trajectory. A closely-related path worth comparing is the Welder certification. Weighing the skilled trades? Our CDL Truck Driver vs. Welder breakdown compares licensing hours, earnings, and regional demand side by side. For a direct earnings-vs-training-time comparison, see CDL Truck Driver vs. HVAC Technician.
CDL Truck Driver by State
Licensing cost, reciprocity, and median pay across all 50 states.
| State | Licensing cost | Reciprocity | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $61 | Endorsement | $52,120 | -11.1% |
| Alaska | $145 | Re-exam | $70,100 | +19.5% |
| Arizona | $50 | Endorsement | $58,080 | -1.0% |
| Arkansas | $92 | Recognized | $51,550 | -12.1% |
| California | $85 | Re-exam | $60,230 | +2.7% |
| Colorado | $292 | Endorsement | $61,500 | +4.9% |
| Connecticut | $86 | Endorsement | $60,490 | +3.2% |
| Delaware | $53 | — | $57,590 | -1.8% |
| District of Columbia | $137 | — | $64,170 | +9.4% |
| Florida | $75 | Endorsement | $50,640 | -13.6% |
| Georgia | $85 | Endorsement | $57,050 | -2.7% |
| Hawaii | $45 | Endorsement | $59,820 | +2.0% |
| Idaho | $240 | — | $58,770 | +0.2% |
| Illinois | $90 | — | $60,320 | +2.9% |
| Indiana | $235 | Re-exam | $60,290 | +2.8% |
| Iowa | $139 | Endorsement | $58,070 | -1.0% |
| Kansas | $56 | — | $58,920 | +0.5% |
| Kentucky | $74 | Endorsement | $56,340 | -3.9% |
| Louisiana | $76 | Endorsement | $49,320 | -15.9% |
| Maine | $104 | Endorsement | $57,050 | -2.7% |
| Maryland | $250 | Endorsement | $59,360 | +1.2% |
| Massachusetts | $110 | Endorsement | $63,030 | +7.5% |
| Michigan | $25 | Endorsement | $57,180 | -2.5% |
| Minnesota | $45 | Endorsement | $61,990 | +5.7% |
| Mississippi | $30 | Endorsement | $51,820 | -11.6% |
| Missouri | $108 | — | $54,550 | -7.0% |
| Montana | $60 | — | $58,870 | +0.4% |
| Nebraska | $60 | — | $58,390 | -0.4% |
| Nevada | $226 | Endorsement | $62,290 | +6.2% |
| New Hampshire | $80 | Endorsement | $60,280 | +2.8% |
| New Jersey | $167 | Endorsement | $63,570 | +8.4% |
| New Mexico | $68 | Endorsement | $50,500 | -13.9% |
| New York | $50 | Endorsement | $62,050 | +5.8% |
| North Carolina | $65 | — | $51,530 | -12.1% |
| North Dakota | $20 | Recognized | $60,910 | +3.9% |
| Ohio | $46 | Re-exam | $59,800 | +2.0% |
| Oklahoma | $50 | — | $54,410 | -7.2% |
| Oregon | $305 | Endorsement | $61,980 | +5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $280 | Endorsement | $58,580 | -0.1% |
| Rhode Island | $354 | Endorsement | $60,190 | +2.6% |
| South Carolina | $17 | Endorsement | $51,130 | -12.8% |
| South Dakota | $133 | Recognized | $58,690 | +0.1% |
| Tennessee | $62 | Endorsement | $58,620 | -0.0% |
| Texas | $194 | Recognized | $56,290 | -4.0% |
| Utah | $130 | — | $60,620 | +3.4% |
| Vermont | $99 | None | $60,830 | +3.7% |
| Virginia | $96 | Endorsement | $56,860 | -3.0% |
| Washington | $312 | Endorsement | $64,760 | +10.4% |
| West Virginia | $25 | Endorsement | $49,480 | -15.6% |
| Wisconsin | $224 | Endorsement | $58,610 | -0.1% |
| Wyoming | $140 | Re-exam | $60,310 | +2.8% |
Related Certifications
Compare CDL Truck Driver head-to-head
All comparisons →Weighing a CDL Truck Driver career against another credential? Pay, training time, and licensing side-by-side.