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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

CDL Truck Driver Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$56,340/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$27.09/hr
▼ 4% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
31,760
public U.S. Median
$58,640
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$62,490 #12 of 51

CDL Truck Driver pay in Kentucky, explained

Truck drivers in Kentucky earn a median of $56,340 per year ($27.09 per hour), which is 4% below the national median of $58,640. Entry-level workers earn around $38,670, while the most experienced truck drivers reach about $85,630. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $56,340 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $56,340 is worth about $62,490 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #12 for real pay (vs #39 on the sticker number).

See the full CDL Truck Driver Real Pay Index arrow_forward

CDL Truck Driver pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,670
$18.59/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$56,340
$27.09/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$85,630
$41.17/hr

CDL Truck Driver pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $56,340 $62,490 —
Illinois $60,320 $60,345 −$3,980
Indiana $60,290 $64,599 −$3,950
Ohio $59,800 $64,458 −$3,460
Tennessee $58,620 $63,808 −$2,280
Virginia $56,860 $56,239 −$520
Missouri $54,550 $60,066 +$1,790
West Virginia $49,480 $55,287 +$6,860

CDL Truck Driver in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do truck drivers make in Kentucky?

Truck drivers in Kentucky earn a median of $56,340 per year ($27.09 per hour), compared with $58,640 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay truck drivers well?

At $56,340, Kentucky pays 4% below the national median for truck drivers. An estimated 31,760 work in the state.

CDL Truck Driver salary in other states

Alaska · $70,100 Washington · $64,760 District of Columbia · $64,170 New Jersey · $63,570 Massachusetts · $63,030 Nevada · $62,290 New York · $62,050 Minnesota · $61,990 Oregon · $61,980 Colorado · $61,500 North Dakota · $60,910 Vermont · $60,830

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Kentucky

Diesel Mechanic $55,480/yr median Heavy Equipment Operator $57,780/yr median Auto Mechanic $44,890/yr median