Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · North Carolina

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in North Carolina

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $51,530 —12.1% below the national median of $58,640. That ranks NC #46 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$51,530
Median hourly
$24.77
Entry level (P10)
$39,400
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$76,360
90th percentile
Employment
62,400
12.6 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-12.1%
U.S. $58,640

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$39,400
$46,320
$51,530
$62,640
$39,400$51,530$76,360
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $51,530.

Employment concentration (0.95×) is close to the national average.

Highest-paying states for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Alaska$70,100$33.703,4200.79
2Washington$64,760$31.1340,5300.86
3District of Columbia$64,170$30.858300.09
4New Jersey$63,570$30.5647,9800.84
5Massachusetts$63,030$30.3030,8900.64
6Nevada$62,290$29.9515,0100.73
7New York$62,050$29.8363,7000.50
8Minnesota$61,990$29.8038,7700.99
9Oregon$61,980$29.8023,9700.92
10Colorado$61,500$29.5725,3500.67

Related occupations in North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

Frequently asked questions

How much do heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in North Carolina is $51,530, or $24.77 per hour. That is 12.1% below the national median of $58,640.

What is the entry-level heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers salary in North Carolina?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $39,400 per year ($18.94/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,320.

How many people work as heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in North Carolina?

About 62,400 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 12.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is North Carolina a good state for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers?

North Carolina ranks #46 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.95x) is close to the national average.

Which state pays heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers the most?

Alaska has the highest median wage at $70,100 per year, followed by Washington ($64,760) and District of Columbia ($64,170).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes