Is Being a CDL Truck Driver a Good Career? Here's the Honest Truth

Let's start with what everyone wants to know. The national median salary for cdl truck drivers is $50,300/yr ($24.20/hr). That's the midpoint -- half earn more, half earn less.

Entry-level cdl truck drivers start around $34,200/yr. Once you've got a few years under your belt and a journeyman credential, you're looking at $62,900/yr or higher. The top 10% of earners pull in $78,000/yr.

Union cdl truck drivers do better -- averaging $30/hr compared to $23/hr for non-union workers. When you factor in benefits worth around $15,200/yr, the total compensation gap widens even further.

And don't forget overtime. In the trades, OT is common, especially during busy seasons. Time-and-a-half at journeyman rates adds up fast.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% growth in cdl truck driver jobs over the next decade. There are currently about 2,010,200 cdl truck driver positions nationwide.

But the real story isn't just growth -- it's replacement. A huge chunk of the existing workforce is aging out and retiring. The trades have been under-promoted for decades, which means fewer people entering the field than leaving it. That's bad for the industry but great for anyone starting out now. Employers are competing for qualified workers, which means better pay, better benefits, and more leverage for you.

And this kind of work isn't going anywhere. You can't outsource a broken pipe or a wiring job to another country, and robots aren't climbing into crawl spaces yet.

Driving might not sound physical, but it takes a toll. You're sitting for 8-11 hours a day, which is rough on your back and circulation. Loading and unloading can be physically demanding depending on the freight. The irregular schedule, truck stop food, and limited exercise options make staying healthy a real challenge. The mental demands are significant too -- constant focus, weather, traffic, and time pressure.

Let's be real: this work takes a toll on your body over time. Talk to anyone who's been in the trades for 20+ years and they'll tell you about their knees, their back, or their shoulders. Take care of yourself -- stretch, lift properly, wear your PPE, and take breaks when you need them. The money is good, but it's not worth destroying your body.

Time: 3-8 weeks for CDL training, then 4-8 weeks of supervised driving.

Cost: $3,000-$7,000 for CDL school, or $0 if sponsored by a carrier (with a 1-2 year commitment).

Compare that to a four-year degree that costs $40,000-$100,000+ and doesn't guarantee a job. Apprentices start earning from day one and graduate with real skills, real experience, and zero student debt. That's a hard deal to beat.

For OTR drivers, a typical day means 8-11 hours of driving, with required breaks every few hours. You'll do pre-trip inspections, plan your route, fuel up, and deal with paperwork (or electronic logging). You might deliver in the morning, pick up a load in the afternoon, and park at a truck stop or rest area for the night. Local drivers have a more predictable schedule -- home every night, regular routes, but more loading/unloading.

One thing most tradespeople love about the work: no two days are exactly the same. You're solving problems, working with your hands, and seeing tangible results. At the end of the day, you can point to something and say "I built that" or "I fixed that." There's a real satisfaction in that.

The cdl truck driver career ladder has more rungs than most people realize. Here's the typical progression:

1. 1CDL Student / Trainee -- learning to drive with an instructor
2. 2Company Driver (OTR) -- working for a carrier, often long-haul
3. 3Regional / Local Driver -- better schedule, often after 1-2 years of experience
4. 4Specialized Driver (Hazmat, Tanker, Oversized) -- higher pay, extra endorsements
5. 5Owner-Operator -- running your own truck and business

The path from apprentice to business owner is well-trodden in the trades. Starting your own cdl truck driver business requires way less capital than most other businesses, and the demand for quality work is always there.