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Truck drivers (CDL) in Michigan: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Michigan earned a median $57,180 a year in May 2025, $27.49 an hour. 60,800 people held the job, 13.8 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 2% below the national figure of $58,640, and Michigan ranks 35 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in Michigan — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Michigan Secretary of State. ↓
The full wage spread in Michigan
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19.37 | $40,280 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $22.88 | $47,600 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $27.49 | $57,180 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $29.84 | $62,060 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $35.57 | $73,980 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $27.10 | $56,370 | 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.
Michigan against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Arizona | $58,080 | 40,150 |
| 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 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| Michigan | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $57,180 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $27.49 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $40,280 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $73,980 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 60,800 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in Michigan
Electricians ($76,270) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($80,190) · HVAC technicians ($60,850) · Welders ($49,990)
See all five ranked by pay in Michigan.
How to become a truck driver in Michigan
The Michigan Secretary of State issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must hold a DOT medical certificate and, for a first-time CDL, complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training. State application fees apply — check the Secretary of State for the current amount. The licensing authority is Michigan Secretary of State.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit and skills test (Michigan SOS) | A CDL is issued by your home state. In Michigan: pass the knowledge test for a commercial learner's permit, hold it at least 14 days, complete ELDT, and pass the CDL skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control, road test). A DOT medical certificate is required. | — | CDL knowledge test and skills test | — |
| 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. | — | — | — |
Licensing sources: Michigan Secretary of State CDL (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Michigan 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 Michigan?
The Michigan Secretary of State issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must hold a DOT medical certificate and, for a first-time CDL, complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training. State application fees apply — check the Secretary of State for the current amount.
What does it cost to get licensed as a truck driver in Michigan?
Fees are set by the issuing authority; each tier's fee, where published, is in the table above.
How long does it take to become a truck driver in Michigan?
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.