# How to Become a Truck Driver

[Skilled trade guides](/trades/)

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods across the country; long-haul drivers may be away from home for days or weeks. Median pay is **$58,640 per year** ($28.19/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.

      2025 median pay$58,640/year ($28.19/hour)
      Entry educationPostsecondary nondegree award; commercial driver's license required
      Training pathCDL school (3-7 weeks) plus short-term on-the-job training
      Job outlook4% growth 2025-35; ~214,500 openings a year
      Jobs in the US2,221,200

## The path in, step by step

- Get a commercial learner's permit, then complete CDL school (3 to 7 weeks, often $3,000 to $7,000; many carriers sponsor tuition).
- Pass the CDL skills test and get endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles) that raise pay.
- Start with a large carrier for a year to build a clean record; experienced drivers with clean records name their price.
- Specialize: tanker, oversized, and ice-road niches pay far above dry-van average.

## How long it takes

Under 2 months to licensed; 1 year to experienced-driver pay.

## What it costs

CDL school $3,000 to $7,000, often reimbursed by carriers; company-sponsored training usually requires a 1-year commitment.

## What working tradespeople say

- The first year pays the least and is the hardest; most who quit do it in months 1 to 6.
- Avoid lease-purchase programs as a new driver; the math rarely favors the driver.
- A clean driving record is worth more than any endorsement; protect it.
- Local and LTL (less-than-truckload) jobs pay well with home-daily schedules once you have experience.

## Run your own numbers

See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our [salary to hourly calculator](/salary-hourly/), and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the [compound interest calculator](/compound-interest/) (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our [resume templates](/resume-templates/) and [cover letter examples](/cover-letter-examples/) are free.

## More trade guides

- [**Electrician**$63,190/yr median](/trades/electrician/)
- [**Plumber**$63,800/yr median](/trades/plumber/)
- [**HVAC Technician**$61,010/yr median](/trades/hvac-technician/)
- [**Welder**$53,750/yr median](/trades/welder/)
- [**Carpenter**$60,580/yr median](/trades/carpenter/)
- [**Auto Mechanic**$50,620/yr median](/trades/auto-mechanic/)
- [**Ironworker**$62,780/yr median](/trades/ironworker/)
- [**Solar Installer**$53,140/yr median](/trades/solar-installer/)
- [**Boilermaker**$76,410/yr median](/trades/boilermaker/)
- [**Elevator Installer**$109,910/yr median](/trades/elevator-installer/)
- [**Sheet Metal Worker**$61,800/yr median](/trades/sheet-metal-worker/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does truck driver pay?

The national median is $58,640 per year ($28.19/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.

### Do I need college to get into the trades?

No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.

### How long does it take to become a truck driver?

Under 2 months to licensed; 1 year to experienced-driver pay.

### Union or non-union: which is better?

Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.

### Will AI replace trade jobs?

Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.