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Truck drivers (CDL) in Illinois: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Illinois earned a median $60,320 a year in May 2025, $29.00 an hour. 84,200 people held the job, 13.8 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 3% above the national figure of $58,640, and Illinois ranks 15 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in Illinois — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Illinois Secretary of State. ↓
The full wage spread in Illinois
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19.09 | $39,710 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $23.34 | $48,550 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $29.00 | $60,320 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $36.35 | $75,600 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $41.49 | $86,300 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $30.01 | $62,430 | 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.
Illinois against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Vermont | $60,830 | 3,560 |
| 13 | Utah | $60,620 | 25,060 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $60,490 | 15,740 |
| 15 | Illinois | $60,320 | 84,200 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $60,310 | 6,050 |
| 17 | Indiana | $60,290 | 59,090 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $60,280 | 6,960 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $60,320 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $29.00 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $39,710 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $86,300 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 84,200 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in Illinois
Electricians ($99,560) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($99,950) · HVAC technicians ($77,410) · Welders ($51,320)
See all five ranked by pay in Illinois.
How to become a truck driver in Illinois
In Illinois the Secretary of State issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 (21 for interstate or passengers), hold a DOT medical certificate, and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training before the skills test. The licensing authority is Illinois Secretary of State.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Hold a valid Illinois base license, prove legal presence, self-certify your medical status, and pass the CDL knowledge tests. Hold the CLP at least 14 days before the skills test; it is valid one year. | — | CDL knowledge tests (general, combination, air brake, endorsements) | $50 |
| Class A CDL | After 14 days on the CLP and completing ELDT, pass the skills and drive test (pre-trip inspection, basic control, road test) in a representative Class A vehicle. The published CDL fee is $60 (renewal or transfer); a first-time driver's upfront cost is the $50 CLP fee. | — | CDL skills test | $60 |
| 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. | — | — | — |
Reciprocity. A valid out-of-state CDL of the same classification is exempt from the Illinois knowledge and skills tests (except hazmat) unless the driver is 75 or older.
Renewal. Every 4 years (the DOT medical certificate renews separately).
Licensing sources: Illinois SOS Commercial Driver's License (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Illinois Secretary of State 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 Illinois?
In Illinois the Secretary of State issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 (21 for interstate or passengers), 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 Illinois?
Application and license fees run from about $50 to $60 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 Illinois?
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.