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

CDL Truck Driver Salary in North Carolina

Median Annual in North Carolina
$51,530/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$24.77/hr
▼ 12% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in North Carolina

groups Employed in NC
62,400
public U.S. Median
$58,640
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$54,630 #47 of 51

CDL Truck Driver pay in North Carolina, explained

Truck drivers in North Carolina earn a median of $51,530 per year ($24.77 per hour), which is 12% below the national median of $58,640. Entry-level workers earn around $39,400, while the most experienced truck drivers reach about $76,360. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within North Carolina.

Is $51,530 good pay in North Carolina?

Adjusted for North Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $51,530 is worth about $54,630 in national buying power — ranking North Carolina #47 for real pay (vs #46 on the sticker number).

See the full CDL Truck Driver Real Pay Index arrow_forward

CDL Truck Driver pay by experience in North Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$39,400
$18.94/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$51,530
$24.77/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$76,360
$36.71/hr

CDL Truck Driver pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NC
North Carolina (here) $51,530 $54,630
Tennessee $58,620 $63,808 −$7,090
Georgia $57,050 $59,246 −$5,520
Virginia $56,860 $56,239 −$5,330
South Carolina $51,130 $54,539 +$400

CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina: FAQ

How much do truck drivers make in North Carolina?

Truck drivers in North Carolina earn a median of $51,530 per year ($24.77 per hour), compared with $58,640 nationally.

Does North Carolina pay truck drivers well?

At $51,530, North Carolina pays 12% below the national median for truck drivers. An estimated 62,400 work in the state.

CDL Truck Driver salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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