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Truck drivers (CDL) in Georgia: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Georgia earned a median $57,050 a year in May 2025, $27.43 an hour. 74,840 people held the job, 15.3 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 3% below the national figure of $58,640, and Georgia ranks 36 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in Georgia — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). ↓
The full wage spread in Georgia
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.34 | $38,150 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $21.97 | $45,700 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $27.43 | $57,050 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $33.07 | $68,780 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $37.45 | $77,900 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $27.78 | $57,780 | 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.
Georgia against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Iowa | $58,070 | 35,040 |
| 34 | Delaware | $57,590 | 9,040 |
| 35 | Michigan | $57,180 | 60,800 |
| 36 | Georgia | $57,050 | 74,840 |
| 37 | Maine | $57,050 | 9,980 |
| 38 | Virginia | $56,860 | 48,750 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $56,340 | 31,760 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| Georgia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $57,050 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $27.43 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $38,150 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $77,900 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 74,840 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in Georgia
Electricians ($58,320) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($57,200) · HVAC technicians ($56,390) · Welders ($48,430)
See all five ranked by pay in Georgia.
How to become a truck driver in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Driver Services issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 (21 for interstate), hold a DOT medical certificate, and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training before the skills test. The licensing authority is Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Be at least 18; provide identity, Social Security number, two proofs of Georgia residency and a valid Georgia license; pass a vision exam and the knowledge tests. Hold the CLP at least 14 days before the CDL. | — | CDL knowledge test | $10 |
| Class A CDL | Hold the CLP at least 14 days, complete ELDT, then pass the CDL road skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, on-road) in a representative Class A vehicle. | — | CDL skills test | $50 |
| 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 the skills test. | — | — | — |
Renewal. Every 8 years.
Licensing sources: Georgia DDS CDL Permit (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) 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 Georgia?
The Georgia Department of Driver Services issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 (21 for interstate), hold a DOT medical certificate, and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training before the skills test.
What does it cost to get licensed as a truck driver in Georgia?
Application and license fees run from about $10 to $50 depending on the tier, with separate exam fees in some cases — see the table above.
How long does it take to become a truck driver in Georgia?
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.