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Truck drivers (CDL) in Florida: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Florida earned a median $50,640 a year in May 2025, $24.34 an hour. 112,920 people held the job, 11.4 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 14% below the national figure of $58,640, and Florida ranks 48 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in Florida — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). ↓
The full wage spread in Florida
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.12 | $37,700 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $21.88 | $45,500 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $24.34 | $50,640 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $29.99 | $62,380 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $35.74 | $74,330 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $26.37 | $54,850 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
Florida against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Arkansas | $51,550 | 32,220 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $51,530 | 62,400 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $51,130 | 34,170 |
| 48 | Florida | $50,640 | 112,920 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $50,500 | 11,820 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $49,480 | 12,190 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $49,320 | 28,540 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| Florida | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $50,640 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $24.34 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $37,700 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $74,330 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 112,920 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in Florida
Electricians ($57,250) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($52,910) · HVAC technicians ($56,670) · Welders ($50,640)
See all five ranked by pay in Florida.
How to become a truck driver in Florida
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: drivers under 21 are limited to within Florida, you must hold a DOT medical certificate, and you must complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training before the skills test. The licensing authority is Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Hold a regular Florida operator's license, establish Florida residency, pass the vision requirements, and pass the CDL knowledge test(s). Complete a DOT medical examination. | — | CDL knowledge test | — |
| Class A CDL | After the CLP, pass the CDL skills test (pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, on-road), conducted in English. Class A covers trucks or combinations 26,001 lbs or more towing a unit over 10,000 lbs. | — | CDL skills test | $75 |
| Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT, federal) | Since February 7, 2022, first-time CDL applicants must complete theory and behind-the-wheel training from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before taking the skills or knowledge test. | — | — | — |
Licensing sources: FLHSMV Commercial Driver License (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as a truck driver in Florida?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: drivers under 21 are limited to within Florida, you must hold a DOT medical certificate, and you must complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training before the skills test.
What does it cost to get licensed as a truck driver in Florida?
The main application or license fee is $75; separate exam or endorsement fees can apply, as noted in the table above.
How long does it take to become a truck driver in Florida?
It depends on which credential you need and the training and testing each step takes — the full path is in the table above.
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.