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Truck drivers (CDL) in North Carolina: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in North Carolina earned a median $51,530 a year in May 2025, $24.77 an hour. 62,400 people held the job, 12.6 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 12% below the national figure of $58,640, and North Carolina ranks 46 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in North Carolina — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). ↓
The full wage spread in North Carolina
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.94 | $39,400 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $22.27 | $46,320 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $24.77 | $51,530 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $30.12 | $62,640 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $36.71 | $76,360 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $26.83 | $55,810 | 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.
North Carolina against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | Alabama | $52,120 | 36,650 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $51,820 | 24,160 |
| 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 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $51,530 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $24.77 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $39,400 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $76,360 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 62,400 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in North Carolina
Electricians ($56,800) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($57,080) · HVAC technicians ($57,260) · Welders ($50,590)
See all five ranked by pay in North Carolina.
How to become a truck driver in North Carolina
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles 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 NCDMV for the current amount. The licensing authority is North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit and skills test (NCDMV) | A CDL is issued by your home state's DMV. In North Carolina: 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: NCDMV Commercial Drivers License (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) 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 North Carolina?
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles 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 NCDMV for the current amount.
What does it cost to get licensed as a truck driver in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
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.