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🚚 Truck driver · BLS median $57,440

Truck Driver Salary Calculator: Your Take-Home Pay

The median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver earns $57,440 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024). Pay depends on miles, route type and whether you're company or owner-operator. The calculator is pre-filled with the median — set it to your real annual earnings, pick your state, and see your take-home.

● BLS median $57,440 ● State tax included ● 2026 federal data

🚚 Truck driver take-home pay

Truck driver pay

What truck drivers earn — and take home — in 2026

Truck driving is the backbone of U.S. freight, and pay reflects miles and route difficulty. The BLS puts the median heavy and tractor-trailer driver at $57,440 (May 2024). Long-haul over-the-road (OTR), tanker, hazmat and oversized-load drivers typically earn the most; local delivery and regional drivers trade some pay for home time.

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Company vs. owner-operator: This calculator models a company (W-2) driver. Owner-operators pay self-employment tax (15.3%) instead but deduct business costs — a very different tax picture.

Where a driver's paycheck goes

On the $57,440 median, a single company driver pays federal income tax mostly in the 12% bracket after the standard deduction, plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare. Carrier per-diem programs can shift part of your pay to a non-taxable meal allowance, raising take-home — ask your dispatcher whether yours offers one.

Home state matters more for drivers

Because long-haul drivers earn money across dozens of states, income tax usually follows your domicile (legal home state). Choosing a no-income-tax home like Texas, Florida or Tennessee can meaningfully raise your annual take-home versus a high-tax residence.

Compare trucking with other trades

See how driving pay compares with an electrician or welder, or check your exact net in Texas.

Questions

Truck Driver Salary Calculator FAQ

How much does a truck driver make in 2026?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $57,440 for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (May 2024). Long-haul OTR drivers, specialized haul (oversized, tanker, hazmat) and dedicated routes often pay more, while local and regional drivers may earn less but get home daily. The top 10% of drivers earn over $76,000.

What is a trucker's take-home pay on $57,440?

A single company driver earning the $57,440 median takes home roughly $47,000 to $48,000 a year after federal income tax and FICA in a no-income-tax state. Per-mile pay is taxed as ordinary wage income; per-diem allowances for meals on the road may be partly non-taxable if your carrier participates in a per-diem program.

Are owner-operators taxed differently than company drivers?

Yes. Company drivers are W-2 employees and this calculator's FICA treatment applies. Owner-operators are self-employed: they pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax (both halves of Social Security and Medicare) but can deduct business expenses like fuel, maintenance and the per-diem. This tool models a company (W-2) driver.

Which states are best for a truck driver's take-home?

Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee and Nevada levy no state income tax, so a driver keeps more of every mile. Because drivers often cross many states, income tax is generally based on your state of residence (domicile), making a no-tax home state a real take-home advantage.

Mustafa Bilgic
Reviewed & maintained by
Mustafa Bilgic — Editor, SalaryCalculator.us

Truck driver wage data is taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook; tax figures from the IRS and SSA.

  • Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers (median $57,440, May 2024) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base · State departments of revenue.
  • 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026

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