Highest-Paying Trucking Jobs by State

At Drive Trucking Jobs, our mission is to help CDL drivers maximize earnings by connecting them with the right routes and carriers. One crucial strategy? Targeting states that pay top dollar. Geography, freight demand, endorsements, and route type can dramatically affect driver income. Here’s your definitive guide to the highest-paying trucking opportunities across the U.S.—plus tips to help you land your best paying job yet.

1. Top States for Truck Driver Salaries

Alaska

• Average Salary: Around $65,870/year for heavy truck drivers

• Why It Pays: Remote routes, long distances, extreme weather, and reliance on trucking for essential goods all drive higher pay.

• Pro Tip: Focus on refrigerated, tanker, and flatbed roles moving heavy or temperature-controlled freight to rural areas.

North Dakota

• Average Salary: Up to $66,000/year

• Why It Pays: Strong oil and gas sector creates constant freight demand.

• Pro Tip: Secure tanker or hazmat endorsements to qualify for the best-paying routes.

Washington State and Washington D.C.

• Washington State: Local drivers earn approximately 13% above the national average

• Washington D.C.: Average salary for CDL drivers exceeds $126,000/year

• Why It Pays: High population density, port access, and urban logistics operations increase demand and pay.

New Jersey and Massachusetts

• New Jersey: Around $64,270/year (heavy-duty), $48,460 (light trucks)

• Massachusetts: Approximately $63,500/year

• Why It Pays: High freight volumes, dense urban areas, and cost of living adjustments drive up rates.

Illinois

• Average Salary: About $65,200/year

• Why It Pays: Chicago is a major logistics hub with extensive intermodal traffic, rail connections, and industrial freight.

2. Route Types and How They Affect Income

Over-the-Road (OTR)

• Average Salary: Roughly $70,000/year

• Why It Pays: Long miles, flexible availability, and time away from home all boost pay levels.

Regional

• Average Salary: $50,000 to $60,000/year

• Why It Pays: Offers a blend of decent miles and home time, with moderate pay.

Local

• Median Earnings: Around $60,000/year, with high-paying states offering up to $68,000 or more

• Why It Pays: City routes often involve tight delivery schedules, higher cost-of-living pay bumps, and touch freight.

3. Specialized Freight and Endorsements

• Flatbed Drivers: $80,000 to $90,000/year

• Oversized Loads: Up to $118,000/year

• Team Drivers: Approximately $90,000/year

• Hazmat and Tanker Drivers: Can earn 15 to 30 percent more than average

• Owner-Operators: Potential six-figure income but include maintenance, insurance, and fuel expenses

4. Why Geography Matters

Several key factors make a difference in pay:

1. Cost of Living: States like California, New York, and New Jersey have higher pay due to inflation and urban congestion.

2. Freight Demand: Resource extraction (North Dakota), ports (Washington), and industrial corridors (Illinois) drive job availability.

3. Climate and Terrain: Harsh or mountainous terrain, such as in Alaska or parts of the Pacific Northwest, justifies hazard pay.

4. Endorsement Requirements: Drivers with hazmat, doubles/triples, and tanker endorsements qualify for specialized, higher-paying routes.

5. Making the Most of the Data

To capitalize on high-paying markets:

• Target Top States: Focus on job searches in Alaska, North Dakota, Illinois, Washington, and New Jersey.

• Upgrade Your Skills: Getting endorsements can unlock significantly higher income potential.

• Balance Pay and Lifestyle: Consider whether OTR or regional work in a higher-paying state can still give you enough home time.

• Use Strategic Job Boards: Platforms like Drive Trucking Jobs let you filter opportunities by pay, route type, and region.

6. Job Board Tools to Maximize Your Earnings

Drive Trucking Jobs allows you to:

• Filter by state to find top-paying markets

• Choose route type (OTR, local, regional)

• Highlight endorsements that match high-paying listings

• Subscribe to alerts for the best routes in your preferred state

7. External Sources to Reference

• CloudTrucks Salary Estimates

• Zippia Truck Driver Pay by State

• Bureau of Labor Statistics Data

• ZipRecruiter Trucking Job Trends

8. Common Questions

Is relocating to a higher-paying state worth it?
Yes, especially if you have the flexibility to run OTR or specialize with endorsements.

Do endorsements really raise your pay that much?
Absolutely. Hazmat, tanker, and flatbed endorsements can boost income by $10,000 to $30,000 annually depending on the role.

Should I choose OTR or local if I want maximum pay?
OTR generally pays more, but local routes in states like Washington or Massachusetts can be competitive and offer more home time.

Final Thoughts

Your earning potential in trucking depends just as much on where you drive as what you drive. By targeting high-paying states and pursuing specialized freight or endorsements, you can put your CDL to work in the most profitable way possible.

Ready to get started? Visit DriveTruckingJobs.com and explore opportunities in the highest-paying states today.