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Truck drivers (CDL) in New York: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in New York earned a median $62,050 a year in May 2025, $29.83 an hour. 63,700 people held the job, 6.6 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 6% above the national figure of $58,640, and New York ranks 7 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in New York — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). ↓
The full wage spread in New York
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23.02 | $47,880 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $26.71 | $55,550 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $29.83 | $62,050 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $35.60 | $74,040 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $42.36 | $88,100 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $31.63 | $65,780 | 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.
New York against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | New Jersey | $63,570 | 47,980 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $63,030 | 30,890 |
| 6 | Nevada | $62,290 | 15,010 |
| 7 | New York | $62,050 | 63,700 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $61,990 | 38,770 |
| 9 | Oregon | $61,980 | 23,970 |
| 10 | Colorado | $61,500 | 25,350 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| New York | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $62,050 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $29.83 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $47,880 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $88,100 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 63,700 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in New York
Electricians ($78,750) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($77,490) · HVAC technicians ($74,430) · Welders ($59,140)
See all five ranked by pay in New York.
How to become a truck driver in New York
The New York State DMV issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must hold a DOT medical certificate and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training. New York does not transfer an out-of-state CDL — you apply at a DMV office and surrender the old CDL. The licensing authority is New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Hold a New York driver license, certify you meet the federal medical examination requirements, and pass the written knowledge test for the class you need. | — | Written CDL knowledge test(s) | $10 |
| Class A CDL | After the CLP, complete ELDT, practice with a qualified supervising driver, and pass the CDL road test (which cannot be scheduled within 14 days of the CLP). The $40 is the road test fee; the license fee varies by your current license. Class A covers tractor-trailers. | — | CDL road test | $40 |
| 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 state road test. | — | — | — |
Reciprocity. New York does not transfer an out-of-state CDL by reciprocity: you must apply at a DMV office and surrender your out-of-state CDL.
Renewal. Every 8 years (the standard New York license term; keep your DOT medical certification current separately).
Licensing sources: NY DMV — Get a Commercial Driver License (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 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 New York?
The New York State DMV issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must hold a DOT medical certificate and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training. New York does not transfer an out-of-state CDL — you apply at a DMV office and surrender the old CDL.
What does it cost to get licensed as a truck driver in New York?
Application and license fees run from about $10 to $40 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 New York?
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.