The amount of compensation a truck driver receives is highly variable, due to a variety of factors. These include experience, the weight and difficulty of the loads they are hauling, their driving record, and whether or not they are willing to endure risk in their job.

A hazmat driver transporting dangerous, toxic materials must operate their commercial vehicle with extra caution and attention to detail. A hazardous material spill or worse, an explosion could occur and cause mass casualties or environmental damage.

When you compare the risks of transporting hazardous materials with the average dry van load of toilet paper, it’s easy to see why a hazmat driver must be more attentive to safety. However, if transporting hazardous materials isn’t appealing to you, there are other options besides transporting hazardous materials that will increase your pay.

How Much Is a Truck Driver’s Salary?

Salary: $45,000 to $60,000

Truck driver salaries vary depending on many factors, such as region and the type of equipment being driven. However, experience and a record of safe driving can lead to higher earnings. Some drivers may choose to train for extra endorsements or take on increased risk in order to earn more money.

32 Highest Paying Trucking Jobs

1. Owner-Operators

Salary: $247,850

Indeed lists the salary as $247,850, but this figure can vary greatly and does not take into account all of the factors. For example, an owner-operator cannot be classified as a job for the purposes of Indeed, which is understandable. These drivers are much more than your average salaried employee; they are business owners operating a trucking company.

As the owner-operator of a trucking company, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of the business, from expenses to finding loads to paying employees’ insurance, benefits and wages. The success of your company depends on how much work you are willing (or able) to take on.

CloudTrucks offers owner-operators the ability to work with a primary carrier in order to get loads delivered quickly and efficiently. Owner-Operators with over two and a half years of experience are eligible for this program. CloudTrucks provides them complete freedom to run their business, as well as access to loads from hundreds of curated sources.

If you’re interested in driving for CloudTrucks, we have a Flex program that will allow you to drive under our authority. Once you’re approved, and have downloaded the app, you can start accepting loads that you like and start earning money right away! Drivers who are signed up with CloudTrucks earn an average of $20,000 per month with our CT Cash card. To learn more about how it works, head on over to our Getting Started page!

2. Ice Road Drivers

Salary: $65,455 per year 

The History Channel launched the show “Ice Road Truckers” in 2009, which portrays a unique and challenging aspect of trucking – ice road driving. Ice road trucks operate in remote areas of Canada’s northern latitudes during the few months that optimal conditions exist for transporting cargo. The extreme weather and terrain pose enormous risks to these drivers, who must navigate challenging roads while carrying heavy loads.

These drivers earn a full-year salary in that short period of time, giving them time to pursue other opportunities during the off-season or enjoy their time off.

To be successful as an ice road trucker, you need several years of experience and a history of safe operation with a broad range of equipment. It can be one of the most challenging ways to drive a truck, but it also offers some of the highest earning potentials in the industry.

3. Oversized Load

Salary: $71,442 per year 

Oversized loads, also known as over-dimension loads, are larger than the legal dimensions set by federal regulations. As a result, haulers transporting oversized loads must have a higher level of skill in maneuvering them than average. This includes construction equipment, wind turbines, mobile homes, and industrial machinery.

These drivers must follow additional regulations that specify the routes and times of day these loads are allowed to move. This often requires the use of an escort crew, and some companies require the driver to hire their escort team.

Large items are often quite expensive, so additional insurance and other precautions are necessary. For example, a higher compensation for the driver behind the wheel of these behemoth loads comes with the territory.

 4. Specialty Vehicle Haulers

Salary: $82,099 

Specialty vehicle haulers transport high-value or specialty vehicles such as race cars, luxury automobiles, and collectibles. These drivers must take special precautions to avoid damage to the vehicles while they are being transported and follow specific procedures to protect them from theft.

5. Team Drivers

Salary: $96,573

Load delivery drivers are the pinnacle of high-speed, long-range transportation. Typically, a team consists of two drivers in the same truck, driving in shifts to keep their load moving up to 22 hours a day. To give you an idea of how big a difference this makes, consider that it typically takes a solo driver six days to drive from coast to coast. A team can make the same trip in as little as three days. Companies that require such high-speed delivery pay more for the service, and the team of drivers, in turn, earns a much higher compensation.

6. Private Fleet

Salary: $95,999 – $110,000 per year 

Walmart maintains a fleet of drivers to transport goods from their distribution centers or factories to their stores or customers. These drivers enjoy higher than average pay, shorter work weeks, and best-in-industry benefit packages.

Private fleets have high standards for hiring drivers. Some require many years of experience and clean driving records, while others enjoy extremely low turnover rates.

7. Mining Industry Drivers

Salary: $58,862

Many dump trucks used in mining and quarry operations are massive, weighing in at many tons. They must operate with precision while driving around large equipment and other commercial vehicles, yet still be safe. These trucks can be found at specific industrial or port locations that handle raw materials and goods used in the manufacturing process of our nation’s economy.

8. Liquids / Tanker

Salary: $88,024 

Because of the physical properties of liquids in large containers, such as how quickly they can flow and how easily they can be turned or brake-sprung, sudden movements or abrupt changes in speed can cause a dangerous accident. For hazmat liquid loads such as gasoline or propane, a mistake with the container’s contents could result in huge fireballs and extreme heat—often referred to as a “Viking Funeral” by the drivers.

The risks associated with transporting liquids and tanker trucks, as well as other drivers on the road, are well-known. These include acids and deadly fumes. Drivers receive compensation for these dangers in proportion to the hazardous loads they transport and their level of skill in moving them safely.

9. Hazmat Drivers

Salary: $65,466 

Hazmat drivers must be vigilant when transporting hazardous materials, as any mishap could lead to serious consequences. They must undergo a background check from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), maintain additional endorsements, and follow additional state and federal regulations in order to safely transport these substances.

Hazmat drivers typically make more than other drivers because of the specialized equipment and additional risks associated with transporting hazardous materials.

10. Flatbed Owner Operator

Flatbed owners operators haul various goods throughout the country, typically using their own commercial vehicle. They are responsible for ensuring product safety and timely delivery.

There are many opportunities for truck drivers with a larger company, or an independent contractor arrangement. Some employers offer benefits such as retirement plans, paid time off, and steady work.

11. Local Owner Operator Truck Driver

As a local owner-operator truck driver, you own or lease your truck, and work with different clients on an independent basis. Your duties include maintaining your vehicle and building relationships with clients. When you have a contract, you plan the route and delivery schedule, if necessary.

As a local driver, your transportation responsibilities typically focus on one area: picking up and delivering cargo within a specific geographical area. This means you are not usually involved in multi-day trips.

12. Regional Owner Operator Truck Driver

Regional Truck Drivers are truck drivers who own their rigs and contract their services to trucking companies, delivering cargo around their region. They typically drive shorter distances and do not take long trips.

As an owner-operator, you have more control over the companies you work with and how much time you spend on the road.

13. OTR Owner Operator Truck Driver

As an owner-operator truck driver, you are responsible for transporting loads long distances, usually across different states. Trucking is a challenging and dangerous job that requires strong skills and vigilance.

Freight truck drivers are responsible for routine maintenance and any necessary repairs to ensure their trucks stay in good running condition. They also must obey traffic laws surrounding freight trucks, check in at weighing stations when needed, and maintain a log of each mile they travel.

14. Line Haul Owner Operator

A freight line haul owner-operator drives freight from one terminal to another. They are typically only engaged in the transport of cargo and do not take part in loading or unloading or any other aspects of logistics operations. Their primary duties involve configuring their rig so that it can safely pull each type of load, which may include transporting goods over long distances between terminals.

15. Box Truck Owner Operator

A truck driver who owns or leases a box truck can use it to transport cargo and make deliveries. Box trucks are usually 4 to 7 meters long, have a cargo bay, and can be used with additional hitchhiking cargo. Truck drivers who own or lease box trucks contract their equipment and labor through companies for short or long range shipments.

16. Lease Purchase Truck Driver

A lease purchase truck driver is an independent owner-operator who is in the process of purchasing their tractor through lease payments. This includes all the responsibilities and duties associated with working as a company driver, such as delivering freight safely and on time.

The leasing period provides an opportunity for the lease purchase program company to assign you jobs that will result in a higher owner-operator pay rate. In turn, you will make lease payments on the truck, cover costs associated with owning and operating it, and contribute to its ongoing repairs or maintenance needs.

17. Lease Purchase Driver

A lease purchase driver is a trucking professional who has leased their truck. The driver intends to make payments over the course of their lease to buy the truck and then operate it as an owner-operator. In this position, your job duties involve transporting goods and hauling loads for clients. You are an independent contractor whose responsibilities are to transport goods and haul loads for clients, rather than working for a company.

18. Team Truck Driver

A team truck driver’s job is to work with a team of other drivers in order to get as many miles on the odometer as possible. This means that one driver may rest while the other drives, so that both drivers can make the most of their time together. However, there are regulations in place governing how long a team truck driver can drive without taking a break.

A team truck driver can adhere to the same regulations as a solo truck driver, but benefits from the experience and skills of a team. These drivers are often required to share cramped quarters, work long hours with their partners, and travel together for weeks at a time. If you enjoy long hauls and want to stay on the road longer than usual, this may be the career for you.

19. Water Hauler

Water truck haulers work with oil and gas drilling to transport liquid waste and by-products away from the site. They are responsible for ensuring that their truck is in good condition, as well as performing safety inspections on a regular basis.

20. Company Truck Driver

A company truck driver is responsible for transporting goods for a trucking company. They must have a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to work as a company truck driver. Other than transporting goods, they are also responsible for ensuring the vehicle is in proper working order and meets all safety regulations.

21. Teamster

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is a large, multinational trade union that represents many different professions, such as truck drivers and many other manual labor positions on movie sets.

Your work as a teamster will involve a variety of tasks and responsibilities, depending on the type of contract you are negotiating or the pay and working conditions you are working to improve for your fellow teamsters.

As a truck driver, you may work in short- or long-haul delivery or depot yard work.

22. OTR Truck Driver

An OTR truck driver transports cargo by truck, usually traveling for long distances. Your responsibilities include picking up and delivering cargo safely and on time while complying with all state and federal regulations governing the roadways.

To be considered for this job, you must have a clean driving record, meet the physical requirements listed, have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) exam.

23. Long Haul Truck Driver

As a long-haul truck driver, you transport goods or cargo between one or more locations on your route. This can involve driving a significant distance each day, and working in teams of two to provide nearly non-stop transportation of goods.

Companies that haul goods that need to remain cold may require monitoring and repairing refrigeration systems. In any case, you’re expected to perform various types of truck maintenance as needed in order to keep the truck running optimally.

24. Regional CDL Driver

As a regional driver, you haul freight throughout a specific region. Since you usually only drive within your own state, this job may require more time at home than on the road. Your responsibilities include transporting goods or materials to customers in your area.

You take care of the logistics of your trucking job by watching the weather and using common sense when driving. You keep track of deliveries and submit expense reports.

25. Dedicated Truck Driver

Dedicated truck drivers have specific routes and schedules that keep them away from other drivers, who are more commonly found driving a route for multiple delivery companies. They also often only work with one or two destinations, as opposed to the unpredictability of a multi-delivery run. As professionals in the trucking industry, dedicated truck drivers carry out many of the same responsibilities as regular commercial drivers; they need to hold a CDL and pass an appropriate safety test.

26. CDL Dedicated Truck Driver

A commercial driver with a CDL usually works with the same set of clients in one area or region. Some drivers only work with one client while others are hired by several different clients within a local area. In these positions, you usually drive on a particular route and deliver cargo or transport freight to the same destinations on a daily basis.

As a truck driver, you will be responsible for loading and unloading cargo from your vehicle. Your specific job duties can vary, depending on the needs of each client and the type of cargo with which you work.

27. Line Haul Truck Driver

Trailer truck drivers are a type of commercial driver who travel a set route through cities, typically returning home after each shift. They work with companies to deliver freight to the same or similar places each time they drive, so this career often entails developing strong relationships with these businesses.

Liner haul drivers have additional responsibilities and duties beyond those of other types of drivers, as they are responsible for their own cargo and equipment. These regulations must be understood and followed during a run.

28. Student Truck Driver

A student truck driver position is a low-skilled job that can help you learn the skills necessary to become a truck driver. Typically, companies hire student drivers who have recently obtained their commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, some companies offer CDL courses as well.

The trucking company offers new employees the opportunity to gain experience and learn how to operate a truck. This is done through working as a student driver, which either provides a flat fee per week or earns you less money until your training is complete. You should be familiar with the company’s specific protocol and industry standards so that you can easily transition into a full-time truck driver position.

29. Milk Truck Driver

Operating a large truck filled with refrigerated milk is a physically demanding job. The driver must constantly monitor the temperature and pressure in the tank, ensure that deliveries are made on time, and complete vehicle inspections. In addition to these responsibilities, drivers must also submit inspection papers and logs as required by law.

The milk truck driver samples and measures the number of gallons and temperature at each stop, collects samples for laboratory analysis, and handles quality control to ensure that the product meets FDA standards. The main expectations of this position are safe operation and on-time delivery.

30. Class A Truck Driver

Commercial drivers who want to operate a large truck, such as an 18-wheeler, must first obtain a Class A license. This license is different from the type of driver’s license needed to drive a regular car or truck. Most people with regular driver’s licenses can also drive and tow trucks up to 10,000 pounds. Those who want to work as commercial drivers must first obtain a Class A CDL before applying for jobs.

31. Solo Truck Driver

A solo truck driver is responsible for the transport of freight, including loading and unloading cargo. This job can be challenging, as you must make sure your vehicle is in good condition and follow directions from dispatch to ensure on-time delivery. You may also need to communicate with other drivers or crews to arrange pickups and dropoffs. Solo truck drivers are often responsible for overseeing or participating in the loading and unloading process of their trucks.

32. Tankerman

As a tankerman, your responsibilities involve overseeing the safe and efficient transport of liquid cargo on vessels such as barges, ships, or specialized tankboats. You are responsible for inspecting and maintaining liquid transfer equipment onboard the vessel and onshore.