What Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers this way: "Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order"; "Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations"; "Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required"; "Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned"; "Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 2,221,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 2,305,000 in 2035, an increase of 83,800 jobs (+3.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 214,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 7.3% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,640, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earn the most
Across the 38 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $51,468 in Florida to $66,144 in Washington, a gap of $14,676 (1.29 times). 20 of those 38 states average above the BLS national median of $58,640 and 18 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 201,360, which is 8.3% of the 2,417,780 counted across them. California follows with 199,950.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($66,144), Nevada ($63,831) and New York ($63,342) lead the ranking, while Florida ($51,468) and North Carolina ($53,067) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 69 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Shelby County, TN (Memphis, TN-MS-AR) at $31,918. The smallest margin is $10,449 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 69 of the 69 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 22.7% and 63.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Light Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (53-3000) include Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, Bus Drivers, School and Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs.
Frequently asked questions about Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,640. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $51,468 to $66,144.
Which state pays Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $66,144. Nevada is next at $63,831.
Is Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 214,500 openings a year.
What education do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Shelby County, TN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $31,918 on a median wage of $63,070.