How much do truck drivers make in 2026?
Are you curious how much truck drivers make? A career in trucking can be a smart move if you want a new path or more financial stability. Few jobs get you to steady, solid pay as fast as trucking can.
Trucking is also open to more people, since it takes CDL training from a truck driving school instead of a college diploma. Many trucking companies offer training pay and sign-on bonuses to bring new drivers into the industry.
The short answer: the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the mean pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers at $59,710 a year (May 2025). Indeed's job-posting data shows $1,695 a week. At MigWay, company drivers can earn up to $2,160 a week on dry van and up to $2,940 a week on flatbed with every qualifying bonus.
Truck Driver Salary: Factors That Affect It
National average truck driver salary
So, how much does a truck driver make? The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted nearly 2.1 million heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in May 2025, with an annual mean wage of $59,710. Spread over 52 weeks, that is about $1,148 per week.
Job-posting data runs higher. Indeed shows an average of $1,695 per week for US truck drivers, based on about 1.14 million salaries from postings over the past 36 months (updated October 2026). That works out to about $88,000 a year.
The gap comes from what each source measures. BLS counts every heavy truck driver, including local jobs with fewer miles, while Indeed tracks advertised pay. That spread shows how much a truck driver's salary depends on the factors we cover below.
Factors that impact truck driver pay
An average truck driver's salary can range a lot, as much as 35%. Many factors decide how much a truck driver makes and brings home to the family.
Factors inside the driver's control
Some factors are in the driver's control, such as education, experience, and job type: regional, team, dedicated, or high-risk work like ice road trucking. Learning which job types pay better and working toward them will raise your pay. For example, team drivers are two drivers sharing one truck and taking turns behind the wheel, while a dedicated driver is assigned a specific route and truck.
Location
Your location can have a big impact on your salary as a driver. New York, Alaska, and Mississippi are all known for offering higher salaries to truckers than other nearby states. Keep in mind that the cost of living in those locations can also be higher. The best locations offer both higher salaries and a low cost of living.
Experience
Just like any other job, experience plays a major role in salary. As truckers gain more years on the road, they get better at planning routes, managing cargo, and handling surprises. That makes them more valuable to employers and lets them command higher pay.
Certification
A truck driver with specialized licenses and certifications earns more than one with only a standard commercial license. Hazmat, tanker, and oversized load credentials all raise earning power. Reefer drivers, for example, haul freight that must stay at a set temperature, and they are paid more for the extra attention those loads need.
Distance
Distance traveled is a key factor in how much truckers make. Long-haul loads usually pay more than short-haul loads because they require more time away from home.
Factors outside the driver's control
Other factors are harder to control, such as starting pay, the amount of work available, and bad weather. To earn as much as possible, limit the factors outside your control and work on the ones inside it: miles driven, certifications, and clean inspections.
Different ways that truck drivers can be paid
Truck drivers are usually paid by the mile, by the hour, by the day, or by the trip. Drivers paid per mile can earn more by driving more. Local work usually pays by the hour, and some companies set a daily minimum so earnings stay consistent. Drivers paid per trip usually get an agreed percentage of the trip's revenue.
Drivers who do specialized work such as flatbed, tanker, and hazmat are some of the highest-paid in trucking because the freight is dangerous or needs extra care. At MigWay, we run dry van and flatbed. Dry van keeps loading and unloading simple, with less time at shippers and receivers. Flatbed pays more per mile for experienced drivers ready to secure, strap, and tarp.
How the Trailer You Pull Impacts Truck Driver Salary
Not all freight pays the same. What's behind your truck matters - a lot.
- Dry van: Most common and beginner-friendly. Lower CPM, but steady work and faster load and unload times.
- Flatbed: Pays more due to physical labor (strapping, tarping) and specialized cargo. It takes skill, and it pays for that skill.
- Reefer (refrigerated): Higher CPM because of temperature-sensitive freight and monitoring requirements.
- Tanker: High risk, especially with chemicals or fuel. Usually requires hazmat. Higher pay but more pressure.
- Oversized loads: High stress, strict permits, serious planning. Good money if you're built for it.
At MigWay, we run dry vans and flatbeds. Dry vans keep the job smooth, and flatbeds offer higher pay for experienced drivers ready to take on more responsibility.
In What States Do Truck Drivers Make the Most Money?
Finding the best state for CDL truck drivers depends on pay, infrastructure, and state rules. North Dakota leads with an average truck driver salary of $78,797, followed by Illinois at $73,205 and Wyoming at $70,617. Texas is also a strong choice, with over 300,000 miles of highways, plenty of truck stops, and a big trucking culture.
Tennessee, Illinois, and Ohio offer a good mix of affordable living and decent pay, which makes them top picks for drivers who want balance between work and home. Illinois, especially around Chicago, has such a strong transportation network that it's often called "The Capital of Trucking." As driver shortages and pay shift, the top states may change too.
In What States Do Truck Drivers Make the Worst Money?
Some states pay truck drivers less, have fewer job openings, or carry higher living costs. Hawaii and Alaska have the lowest semi truck driver salaries at $44,475 and $47,735, mostly due to remote locations that limit trucking jobs. Florida and Idaho also pay less, with average CDL driver salaries of $56,563 and $47,833.
These numbers don't tell the whole story. Truck drivers in Washington state earn about $61,194 on average, but high living costs and taxes make that money go less far than in a lower-cost state like Mississippi. Skilled drivers can still earn 25% to 30% more than these averages, so even the "worst" states hold good opportunities. If you're thinking about moving for better pay, weigh pay, cost of living, and job availability together.
How Much Does a Truck Driver Make at MigWay?
What MigWay Pays Company Drivers
MigWay is an asset-based carrier running 400 trucks and 750 trailers out of Pineville, North Carolina, with 48-state freight coverage. Dry van starts at 55 cents per mile base. Flatbed starts at 60 cents. The performance bonus grows with your weekly miles instead of sitting flat.
On top of that, you earn 2 cents per mile for meeting the idle requirement and 2 cents per mile for meeting the safety requirement. That's 4 extra cents on every mile. Every mile is paid, empty and loaded, and the bonuses apply to all of them.
Dry van weekly pay
| Weekly miles | CPM with all qualifying bonuses | Weekly pay (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500 | 64 CPM | $1,600 |
| 2,600 | 66 CPM | $1,716 |
| 2,700 | 68 CPM | $1,836 |
| 2,750 | 69 CPM | $1,898 |
| 2,800 | 70 CPM | $1,960 |
| 2,900 | 71 CPM | $2,059 |
| 3,000 | 72 CPM | $2,160 |
Flatbed weekly pay
| Weekly miles | CPM with all qualifying bonuses | Weekly pay (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500 | 69 CPM | $1,725 |
| 2,600 | 71 CPM | $1,846 |
| 2,700 | 73 CPM | $1,971 |
| 2,800 | 75 CPM | $2,100 |
| 2,900 | 77 CPM | $2,233 |
| 3,000 | 79 CPM | $2,370 |
| 3,500 | 84 CPM | $2,940 |
Both tables include base pay, the performance bonus, and the 4 cents for idle and safety. If you miss the idle or safety requirement in a given week, subtract 2 cents per mile for each. Flatbed adds $100 tarping pay per tarped load on top of these figures.
These are mileage-based outcomes, not guarantees. Your miles depend on freight, hours of service, and how well you plan a week.
The fleet
MigWay runs 2023 to 2027 Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo, and Mack trucks, all automatics. We're also adding 100 new 2027 Freightliner Cascadias. Every truck is governed at 70 mph for safety, fuel economy, and consistent miles.
Every truck runs live ELD and GPS tracking. Dispatch is 24/7 and in-house, with zero outsourcing. You get one accountable contact who knows your load and your status instead of a call center routing you to whoever picked up.
Hiring requirements are a valid CDL A, at least two years of recent OTR experience, and a clean driving record. Orientation is one day, and drivers are home every weekend. Call recruiting at +1-980-255-3200 or apply at migway.com/careers.
How much money can you make with a CDL at MigWay in 2026?
MigWay works with OTR drivers who hold a CDL A, have at least two years of recent experience, and keep a clean driving record. Dry van drivers start at 55 cents per mile base and flatbed drivers at 60 cents. The performance bonus, idle bonus, and safety bonus all stack on every mile.
With every qualifying bonus, dry van runs up to 72 cents per mile at 3,000 miles a week. Flatbed runs up to 79 cents at 3,000 miles and up to 84 cents at 3,500 miles. MigWay is based in North Carolina, and our drivers live across the East, South, and Midwest.
How much do truck drivers make a week at MigWay?
A dry van driver who runs 3,000 miles in a week can earn up to $2,160 with every qualifying bonus. Across 48 working weeks, that's up to $103,680 a year before sign-on, inspection, and stop pay.
On flatbed, a 3,000-mile week pays up to $2,370, or up to $113,760 across 48 weeks. Push to 3,500 miles and a week pays up to $2,940, or up to $141,120 across 48 weeks, before tarp pay.
Our mission is to build a great company and to enrich the lives of our employees. That means drivers too, not just office and shop staff. If you enjoy truck driving and the trucking lifestyle, reach out to recruiting to see how MigWay can help you get what you want out of the job, without the repair bills and bookkeeping that come with owning your own truck.
Bonuses That Stack On Top of Your CPM
Base CPM is the floor. These are the additions that move real money into a weekly check.
| Bonus | Amount | How you earn it |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-on | $500 at 90 days, $1,000 at 6 months, $1,500 at 1 year | Up to $3,000 total across your first year |
| Idle | +2 cents per mile, about $60 on a 3,000-mile week | Under 12% idle with an APU, under 30% without |
| Safety | +2 cents per mile, about $60 on a 3,000-mile week | Weeks you meet the safety score requirement |
| Clean inspection | Level 1: $300, Level 2: $200, Level 3: $100 | Paid per clean DOT inspection |
| Extra stop | $25 each | Any stop beyond the standard pickup and delivery |
| Tarping | $100 per tarped load | Flatbed loads that require a tarp |
| Driver referral | $1,000 | Paid after your referred driver completes 90 days (referral form required) |
Bonuses are paid when you qualify. In weeks under 2,500 miles, the rate drops by 5 cents per mile. MigWay also pays detention and layover, so time you lose to a slow dock or a load delay is not time you work for free.
What a 3,000-mile week looks like with the stack
| Line item | Dry van | Flatbed |
|---|---|---|
| Base + performance bonus | $2,040 at 68 CPM | $2,250 at 75 CPM |
| Idle bonus (+2 CPM) | $60 | $60 |
| Safety bonus (+2 CPM) | $60 | $60 |
| Extra stop or tarp | $25 extra stop | $100 one tarp |
| Weekly total (up to) | $2,185 | $2,470 |
| Effective CPM | 72.8 cents | 82.3 cents |
Across 48 working weeks, that's up to $104,880 on dry van and up to $118,560 on flatbed. Both figures assume you hit 3,000 miles and qualify for every bonus, which is a good week rather than a typical one. Clean inspection pay would sit on top. Unsafe driving, citations, accidents, and skipped pre-trip inspections all reduce bonus eligibility.
Quick Answers for 2026
- Average truck driver salary US 2026: Market data shows wide ranges based on lane, equipment, and experience. Check weekly and CPM figures, then convert to your preferred monthly view.
- Do truck drivers make good money: Yes, especially with consistent miles, clean inspections, and performance bonuses. Results depend on carrier, freight, and personal goals.
- How much do CDL drivers make: CDL pay grows with time in seat, endorsements, and route type. Specialized skills often raise earnings.
- Over the road trucking pay: OTR typically offers higher potential due to longer runs and steady freight, balanced against time away from home.
- USA truck driver salary per month: Translate CPM and weekly pay to monthly totals to evaluate budget, savings targets, and lifestyle needs.
2026 Pay Snapshot: Key Questions Drivers Ask
If you are comparing the average truck driver salary US 2026, remember that miles, endorsements, and route type drive outcomes. Many readers ask, do truck drivers make good money? With steady miles and the right fleet, earnings can be strong and predictable. Your actual results will vary by carrier policies, home time needs, and freight mix.
Another common question is, how much do CDL drivers make? Entry-level CDL pay starts lower, then scales with experience, safety record, and lane consistency. For long-haul professionals, over the road trucking pay rewards drivers who manage hours well and keep equipment inspection-ready.
Some readers prefer to view pay monthly, which is why searches like USA truck driver salary per month remain popular. Converting weekly or CPM numbers into a monthly view helps drivers budget and plan.
Here at MigWay
A truck driver's career path doesn't have to stay on the road forever. Drivers who love the work can earn more by becoming driver-trainers and teaching new drivers later in their careers.
You can also become an owner-operator or independent contractor and pick your own routes, loads, and hours. That path can lead to buying your own truck and running your own business. Many mega-carriers started with one truck, just like MigWay out of North Carolina.
If you asked us, we'd tell you that driving a truck is a smart career choice. Pay tracks your performance, there are several directions to grow, demand for good drivers keeps rising, and the barrier to entry is low.
Three Ways to Boost Your Truck Driver Pay Right Now
- Keep your logs and equipment tight. Clean DOT inspections pay up to $300 each at MigWay (Level 1), plus $200 for Level 2 and $100 for Level 3. A strong safety score adds 2 cents on every mile. Drivers who already run organized rigs and current logs earn this without changing a habit.
- Run consistent weekly miles. At 3,000 miles a week, dry van pays up to 72 cents per mile with every qualifying bonus. That's up to $2,160 a week, or up to $103,680 across 48 working weeks. On flatbed, going from 3,000 to 3,500 miles moves the rate from up to 79 cents to up to 84 cents.
- Verify empty-mile pay before accepting any offer. Not every carrier pays all miles. Say a carrier advertises 75 cents but pays 30 cents on empties. On a 3,000-mile week with 15% empty miles, that check is about $2,048. At MigWay, the same week pays up to $2,160 because every mile earns the full rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average truck driver salary in the US in 2026?
The most recent BLS data puts the mean annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers at $59,710 (May 2025). Indeed's job-posting data, updated October 2026, shows $1,695 per week, or about $88,000 a year. BLS counts every heavy truck driver, including local jobs with fewer miles, while Indeed tracks advertised pay.
How much do truck drivers make per mile in 2026?
Company OTR drivers typically earn $0.50 to $0.65 per mile, and flatbed and specialty drivers often earn $0.60 to $0.80 or more. At MigWay, dry van starts at 55 cents base and flatbed at 60 cents. A performance bonus that grows with weekly miles, plus 2 cents for idle and 2 cents for safety, brings dry van up to 72 cents at 3,000 miles and flatbed up to 84 cents at 3,500 miles.
How much does a truck driver make per week?
Indeed's posting data shows an average of $1,695 per week for US truck drivers in 2026. At MigWay, dry van drivers can earn up to $2,160 on a 3,000-mile week with every qualifying bonus. Flatbed drivers can earn up to $2,370 at 3,000 miles and up to $2,940 at 3,500 miles, plus $100 per tarped load.
What is the average truck driver salary per month in 2026?
Multiply weekly pay by 4.33 for a monthly figure. Indeed's $1,695 weekly average works out to about $7,340 a month. At MigWay, a 3,000-mile dry van week at up to $2,160 comes to up to about $9,350 a month, and flatbed at 3,500 miles a week comes to up to about $12,730 a month before tarp pay.
How much do new or beginning truck drivers make?
Indeed's posting data puts entry-level truck driver pay at about $82,500 a year, but posted pay doesn't always match what a first-year driver earns. New OTR drivers usually start at a lower CPM until they build seat time and a clean record. MigWay hires drivers with at least two years of recent OTR experience, so new CDL holders build that time elsewhere first.
How much does a flatbed driver make compared to dry van?
Flatbed usually pays more per mile because of the physical work of securing, strapping, and tarping loads. At MigWay, flatbed starts at 60 cents base versus 55 cents for dry van. With every qualifying bonus, a 3,000-mile week pays up to 79 cents on flatbed and up to 72 cents on dry van. Flatbed also adds $100 per tarped load.
What is over-the-road trucking pay in 2026?
OTR drivers usually earn more than local drivers because longer runs produce more weekly miles. At MigWay, a dry van driver running 2,500 to 3,000 miles a week can earn up to $1,600 to $2,160 weekly, or up to $76,800 to $103,680 across 48 working weeks. MigWay drivers are also home every weekend.
How does the MigWay performance bonus work?
The performance bonus is added to your base CPM and grows as your weekly miles grow, starting at 2,500 miles. It applies to all miles, empty and loaded. Idle and safety each add another 2 cents per mile when you qualify. In weeks under 2,500 miles, the rate drops by 5 cents per mile.
How much can an owner-operator truck driver make?
Owner-operators can gross $300,000 to $350,000 per year, but fuel, insurance, maintenance, truck payments, and permits typically eat 60% to 70% of that. Net income for most owner-operators lands between $80,000 and $120,000. Company drivers at strong carriers can reach similar numbers without the capital risk or the accounting work.
What does MigWay require to hire a driver?
MigWay requires a valid CDL A, at least two years of recent OTR experience, and a clean driving record. If you meet those three requirements, apply at migway.com/careers or call recruiting at +1-980-255-3200. MigWay is based in Pineville, NC, and drivers are home every weekend.