Calculate truck driver pay by route type. Compare OTR vs local vs regional earnings, CDL A vs B pay, per diem tax deductions, miles vs hours compensation, and owner-operator income potential.
BLS data, national averages
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Open Salary ConverterTruck drivers are the backbone of the American economy, moving approximately 70% of all freight in the United States. With an estimated 3.5 million professional truck drivers employed nationwide, the trucking industry has experienced persistent driver shortages that have pushed wages significantly higher than historical averages. For those willing to get a CDL and hit the road, trucking offers a reliable, above-average income with no college degree required.
Over-the-Road (OTR) drivers typically spend 3–4 weeks away from home at a time, running routes across the continental US. In exchange for the sacrifice of home time, OTR drivers earn significantly more: $65,000–$85,000/year for company drivers, with experienced OTR drivers regularly exceeding $90,000. Some specialized OTR segments — flatbed, oversized load, hazmat — command even higher rates.
Regional drivers run routes within a set multi-state area and typically return home weekly or more often. They earn less than OTR — typically $55,000–$75,000 — but with dramatically better work-life balance. Local drivers — making deliveries within a city or metro area — come home every night but typically earn less: $45,000–$65,000, with hourly pay more common than per-mile pay. For drivers with families, local or regional routes are often worth the pay reduction for the quality-of-life improvement.
A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class A is the most versatile and highest-earning CDL category. Class A holders can operate tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbeds, and any combination vehicle over the weight thresholds. Getting a Class A CDL requires 3–8 weeks of training at a truck driving school (cost: $3,000–$7,000, often paid by the hiring carrier) plus passing written and skills tests.
CDL Class B licenses cover single-unit commercial vehicles like box trucks, dump trucks, city buses, and garbage trucks. Class B jobs tend to pay less than Class A ($18–$28/hour vs. $22–$35/hour) but often offer better local schedules and home time. Upgrading from Class B to Class A is a common career move for drivers seeking higher income.
One often-overlooked aspect of trucker compensation is the per diem tax deduction available to long-haul drivers. The IRS allows truck drivers to deduct $80/day for meals and incidentals on days when they are away from home overnight for business. An OTR driver away 300 days per year can deduct $24,000 from their taxable income — potentially reducing their federal tax bill by $3,600–$5,280 depending on their tax bracket. Many carriers also offer per diem pay directly as a tax-exempt portion of earnings, reducing withholding further.
Owner-operators are self-employed truck drivers who own (or lease) their own truck and haul freight under their own authority or as leased-on contractors to larger carriers. The income ceiling is substantially higher than company driver status — successful owner-operators can earn $100,000–$200,000+ in gross revenue — but the costs are also significantly higher: truck payment ($2,000–$4,000/month), insurance ($8,000–$15,000/year), fuel (the largest operating expense), maintenance, permits, and deadhead miles all must be paid from gross revenue before the driver sees profit. Good owner-operators who manage their costs, find quality loads, and maintain their equipment can net $80,000–$150,000+/year; poorly managed operations can lose money despite high gross revenue.
OTR drivers average $65,000–$85,000/year, well above the national average for all truck drivers of $49,920. Specialized OTR segments (flatbed, hazmat, oversized) can exceed $90,000.
Class A allows operation of tractor-trailers and combination vehicles (higher pay); Class B covers single-unit trucks like box trucks and buses. Class A earns $22–$35+/hour; Class B typically $18–$28/hour.
The IRS allows $80/day in per diem deductions for days away from home. An OTR driver away 300 days/year deducts $24,000 in per diem expenses, significantly reducing taxable income.
Most OTR drivers are paid per mile ($0.55–$0.75 for company drivers). Local drivers are more often paid hourly ($22–$35). Mile-pay rewards efficiency; hour-pay provides stability regardless of delays.