The typical US heavy truck driver earns a median of $28.19 an hour, or $58,640 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 estimates for "heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers". The mean is slightly higher, at $59,710 a year. Most drivers earn between about $40,140 and $79,380 a year. At the median that is roughly $4,887 a month before taxes, or about PKR 1,368,360 at an illustrative PKR 280 to the dollar.
What Is the Average Hourly Rate for a Truck Driver in the USA?
The median is $28.19 an hour. Half of drivers earn more than this and half earn less. The mean, or arithmetic average, is $28.71 an hour, because higher earners pull it up. New drivers usually start nearer the bottom of the range.
| Level | Hourly | Yearly | Monthly (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $19.30 | $40,140 | $3,345 |
| 25th percentile | $23.06 | $47,960 | $3,997 |
| Median (typical) | $28.19 | $58,640 | $4,887 |
| 75th percentile | $33.23 | $69,120 | $5,760 |
| Top 10% | $38.17 | $79,380 | $6,615 |
Monthly figures are the yearly pay divided by 12, gross, before taxes. The source is the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025, national estimates for occupation 53-3032. These are national figures for the whole occupation, not guaranteed offers, and long-haul drivers paid by the mile may see their income swing from month to month.
How Much Is a Truck Driver's Salary in PKR?
For planning only, assume $1 = PKR 280. That is an illustrative rate, not a verified exchange quote, and it changes daily, so replace it with your bank's or remittance provider's current receiving rate.
| Period | USD (median) | Illustrative PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $28.19 | PKR 7,893 |
| Per month | $4,887 | PKR 1,368,360 |
| Per year | $58,640 | PKR 16,419,200 |
These are gross amounts. Taxes, housing, food, truck-stop meals and other costs come out of them, so your savings will be much lower.
Which US States Pay Truck Drivers the Most?
The BLS state estimates for May 2025 show the highest median pay for heavy truck drivers in Alaska ($70,100), Washington ($64,760) and the District of Columbia ($64,170). Pay in lower-cost states can sit well below the national figure; the median in Arkansas, for example, was $51,550.
What Makes Truck Driver Pay Higher or Lower?
- Type of driving: long-haul (over-the-road) drivers are often paid per mile, while local drivers are often paid hourly.
- Experience: new drivers usually start near the bottom of the range.
- Endorsements and cargo: hazmat, tanker or specialised loads often pay more.
- Employer: large carriers, private fleets and unionised jobs can differ a lot in pay and benefits.
- Owner-operator or employee: owner-operators can earn more per load but pay for fuel, insurance and repairs themselves.
Do Truck Drivers Earn More Than Warehouse Workers?
Yes. The median heavy truck driver earns $58,640 a year, compared with $40,240 for hand laborers and freight movers in warehouses (BLS, May 2025). Truck driving needs a commercial driver's licence and training, though, and long weeks away from home. The warehouse side is covered in Warehouse Worker Salary in USA (2026).
Can a Foreigner Work as a Truck Driver in the USA?
It is difficult. You need legal permission to work in the US first, and a driving licence does not give you that right. Trucking jobs are rarely sponsored for foreign workers.
- Commercial driver's licence (CDL): tractor-trailers need a Class A CDL, which you earn in the US after entry-level driver training and tests.
- English: federal rules require drivers to read and speak English well enough to understand road signs and talk with officers.
- Work authorisation: you need a visa or status that allows employment. The H-2B visa is for temporary non-farm work, and trucking is usually year-round, so a petition is hard to justify. The country lists that used to limit H-2B were removed in January 2025, so Pakistan is no longer excluded by name, but you still need an employer that recruits from Pakistan, an approved petition and a visa decision.
Rules for CDLs held by non-citizens have been changing, so check current requirements with the US Department of Transportation and your state licensing agency. The visa process for a similar job is explained in How to Get a Warehouse Worker Job in USA From Pakistan.
How Do You Avoid Truck Driver Job Scams?
Be careful if you see any of these:
- Any fee for a job or visa. Legitimate employers do not charge workers recruitment fees.
- "CDL and visa guaranteed" offers from agents you cannot verify.
- Contact only through WhatsApp or Telegram.
- No named company, or no company address and phone number.
Check that the carrier is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the monthly salary of a truck driver in the USA?
About $4,887 a month before taxes at the national median and full-time hours. The typical range is roughly $3,300 to $6,600 a month.
Do truck drivers earn more than warehouse workers?
Yes. The median truck driver earns $58,640 a year against $40,240 for warehouse hand laborers (BLS, May 2025), but truck driving needs a CDL and training.
Do truck drivers need a college degree?
No. BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award, usually CDL training, as the typical entry requirement.
Is the median the same as the average?
No. The median was $58,640 a year and the mean was $59,710.
Is the PKR figure take-home pay?
No. It converts gross dollars at an assumed rate, before expenses and transfer costs.
Can I become a truck driver in the USA from Pakistan?
Not directly. You must first have legal permission to work in the US, then earn a CDL there. Be wary of agents who sell "truck driver visas" for a fee.
Which states pay truck drivers the most?
Alaska ($70,100), Washington ($64,760) and the District of Columbia ($64,170) had the highest medians in May 2025.
Do truck drivers get overtime?
It depends. Many drivers are paid by the mile and are exempt from federal overtime rules, so check how an employer pays before you accept a job.
People Also Search For
Truck driver salary in USA
$28.19 an hour at the median, BLS May 2025.
Truck driver hourly rate USA
The mean was $28.71 an hour.
Truck driver monthly pay USA
About $4,887 gross at the median and full-time hours.
Truck driver salary in PKR
Convert at your provider's real rate, after expenses.
CDL driver salary
The BLS figures are for drivers who hold a Class A CDL.
Highest paying states for truckers
Alaska, Washington and the District of Columbia in May 2025.
Foreign truck driver in USA
You need work authorisation first, then a US CDL.
Warehouse worker salary USA
Covered in the warehouse salary guide.
More Job Guides
Related guides:
- Warehouse Worker Salary in USA (2026) — the same breakdown for warehouse work.
- Warehouse Worker Jobs in USA With Visa Sponsorship (2026) — H-2B rules and how to apply.
- How to Get a Warehouse Worker Job in USA From Pakistan — the step-by-step process.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Wage figures are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 national and state estimates for occupation 53-3032, reviewed on 9 October 2026. PKR conversions are editorial examples, not official statistics or job offers.
