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Truck drivers (CDL) in Texas: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Texas earned a median $56,290 a year in May 2025, $27.06 an hour. 209,680 people held the job, 14.9 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 4% below the national figure of $58,640, and Texas ranks 40 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in Texas — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). ↓
The full wage spread in Texas
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.34 | $38,150 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $22.44 | $46,680 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $27.06 | $56,290 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $31.17 | $64,820 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $38.17 | $79,400 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $27.88 | $57,990 | 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.
Texas against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Maine | $57,050 | 9,980 |
| 38 | Virginia | $56,860 | 48,750 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $56,340 | 31,760 |
| 40 | Texas | $56,290 | 209,680 |
| 41 | Missouri | $54,550 | 47,760 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $54,410 | 27,840 |
| 43 | Alabama | $52,120 | 36,650 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| Texas | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $56,290 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $27.06 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $38,150 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $79,400 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 209,680 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in Texas
Electricians ($58,570) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($59,840) · HVAC technicians ($57,760) · Welders ($53,340)
See all five ranked by pay in Texas.
How to become a truck driver in Texas
In Texas the Department of Public Safety issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 to drive within Texas (21 for interstate or hazmat), carry a DOT medical certificate, and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training before the skills test. The licensing authority is Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Hold a Texas driver license, prove identity and lawful presence, self-certify your medical status (and submit a DOT medical examiner's certificate where required), then pass the vision exam and the knowledge tests. Hold the CLP at least 14 days before the skills test; it is valid 180 days. | — | CDL knowledge tests (general knowledge, combination, air brakes, endorsements) | $25 |
| Class A CDL | After 14 days on the CLP and completing ELDT, supply a representative vehicle and pass the skills test. Class A covers combinations over 26,001 lbs towing a unit over 10,000 lbs. | — | CDL skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control, road test) | $97 |
| 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 taking the skills test. | — | — | — |
Reciprocity. A Texas CDL lets you drive commercial vehicles across the United States; a driver may hold only one license (the federal single-license rule).
Renewal. Every 8 years (ages 18 to 84).
Licensing sources: Texas DPS — how to apply for a CDL (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA ELDT Applicability (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) 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 Texas?
In Texas the Department of Public Safety issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 to drive within Texas (21 for interstate or hazmat), carry 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 Texas?
Application and license fees run from about $25 to $97 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 Texas?
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.