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Truck drivers (CDL) in Pennsylvania: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Pennsylvania earned a median $58,580 a year in May 2025, $28.16 an hour. 87,550 people held the job, 14.4 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is about the same as the national figure of $58,640, and Pennsylvania ranks 30 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in Pennsylvania — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). ↓
The full wage spread in Pennsylvania
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20.94 | $43,560 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $23.83 | $49,570 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $28.16 | $58,580 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $31.65 | $65,830 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $37.66 | $78,330 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $28.67 | $59,640 | 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.
Pennsylvania against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | South Dakota | $58,690 | 6,470 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $58,620 | 64,890 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $58,610 | 53,330 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $58,580 | 87,550 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $58,390 | 23,160 |
| 32 | Arizona | $58,080 | 40,150 |
| 33 | Iowa | $58,070 | 35,040 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| Pennsylvania | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $58,580 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $28.16 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $43,560 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $78,330 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 87,550 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in Pennsylvania
Electricians ($67,600) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($68,080) · HVAC technicians ($62,400) · Welders ($52,900)
See all five ranked by pay in Pennsylvania.
How to become a truck driver in Pennsylvania
PennDOT issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training and, for non-excepted driving, submit a DOT medical examiner's certificate before the learner's permit is issued. The licensing authority is Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Complete the CLP application (DL-31CD) and self-certification (DL-11CD), pay the fees, submit a medical examiner's certificate for non-excepted driving, then pass the knowledge test(s). Hold the permit at least 15 days before the skills test. | — | Knowledge test (per class and endorsement) | — |
| Class A CDL | Hold the learner's permit, complete ELDT, and pass the modernized CDL skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control, on-road). PennDOT CDL fees are prorated — about $43.50 to $109.50 to upgrade a regular license, by how long it has left. | — | CDL 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 state skills or knowledge test. | — | — | — |
Renewal. Every 4 years (every 2 years at age 65 and older).
Licensing sources: PennDOT CDL Learner's Permit FAQs (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) 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 Pennsylvania?
PennDOT issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training and, for non-excepted driving, submit a DOT medical examiner's certificate before the learner's permit is issued.
What does it cost to get licensed as a truck driver in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania?
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.