Truck Drivers Salary in Texas (TX) in 2026

Truck driver salary in Texas

Truck drivers in the state of Texas earn considerably competitive paychecks as the state spans across vast geography which leads to continuous freight movement along with no weak industry ties like manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and cross-border trade. The standard salary range for truck drivers in Texas is from $50,000 for entry-level drivers to $84,000 for instated professionals, while top earners working in a special manner or as owner-operators can fetch $120,000 a year.

Texas is considered to be one of the most heavily freighted states in the Breach, with long distance runs, regional distribution, and dedicated steel lanes that stretch across major transit corridors. That assumes that drivers trucking OTR freight, cross-border cargo loads, specialist payloads, or any sort of modified transport are handsomely compensated in excess of statewide levels.

Truck drivers average salary in Texas

In Texas, truck drivers register earnings that vary between $50,000 and $84,000 per year based on their experience, delivery types, and cargo specialization. Typically, starters select local fleets or very short regional runs, whereas CDL drivers with years of experience prefer longer runs and higher numbers of miles

Here’s a breakdown of the typical salary for truck drivers in Texas:

Driver Type / Experience	Average Monthly Pay	Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level CDL Driver (Limited experience, mostly local routes)	$4,200 – $4,600	$50,000 – $55,000
Experienced CDL Driver (Regional or OTR routes)	$6,500 – $7,000	$78,000 – $84,000
Class A CDL (Long-Haul, Interstate u0026 dedicated lanes)	$6,800 – $7,800	$82,000 – $94,000
Owner-Operator (After expenses, varies widely)	$7,500 – $10,000	$90,000 – $120,000
Specialized Freight (Hazmat, Tanker)	$7,200 – $10,000	$86,000 – $120,000

How Much Does a Class A CDL Driver Get Paid in TX?

Drivers with Class A CDLs in Texas fit this description, making transactions with equipment that involves tractor-trailer combinations up and down the interstate corridors and landing border states and regional local zones. Notably, because of its size and the sheer volumes of freight to be transported, Class A personnel operating in Texas quite often log in higher miles than Class A personnel in other states. Inside each year, the average position spent with a Class A CDL in Texas will pay between $78,000 to $94,000; long-haul, border, and oversize loads could extend beyond $100,000.

Remember

How much does a truck driver in Texas make annually? In general, salaries of Texas big rig drivers usually range between $50,000 and $84,000, with salaries of the highest earners reaching up to $120,000 per year.
Big rig drivers in Texas usually earn at or above the national average due to high freight volumes, long-haul routes, and strong demand across multiple industries.
Beginning drivers are often paid near the lower end of the range at around $50,000, while specially trained drivers and owner-operator positions can earn $120,000 or more per year.
How much can a Class A CDL driver expect to bring in? Most Class A CDL drivers in Texas earn between $78,000 and $94,000 annually depending on the route and experience.

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