Truck Drivers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Truck Drivers in the United States earn a median salary of $58,640 per year — about $28 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 2.2M people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
AI & Automation Risk
While the core task of driving is physical and occurs in a complex real-world environment, it is a primary target for autonomous vehicle AI, which could eventually automate long-haul highway segments. However, the job still requires significant physical presence for non-driving tasks like securing cargo, conducting inspections, and navigating 'last-mile' urban environments that remain challenging for current AI.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEBEST VALUE | $81,790 | Below avg (91.9) | $89,006 |
| Morristown, TN | $67,330 | Below avg (87.2) | $77,201 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $76,560 | Average (101.2) | $75,653 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $58,600 | Below avg (82.0) | $71,498 |
| Dothan, AL | $61,900 | Below avg (87.4) | $70,856 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $60,970 | Below avg (87.2) | $69,935 |
| Grand Island, NE | $60,810 | Below avg (87.1) | $69,785 |
| Bismarck, ND | $62,000 | Below avg (89.4) | $69,387 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $61,960 | Below avg (89.3) | $69,383 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $63,540 | Below avg (91.6) | $69,350 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $59,360 | Below avg (85.9) | $69,096 |
| Minot, ND | $61,030 | Below avg (88.7) | $68,817 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $63,070 | Below avg (91.9) | $68,594 |
| Topeka, KS | $58,870 | Below avg (85.8) | $68,582 |
| Mankato, MN | $60,070 | Below avg (87.6) | $68,536 |