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 (91.6) | $89,309 |
| Morristown, TN | $67,330 | Below avg (86.4) | $77,961 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $76,560 | Above avg (103.2) | $74,180 |
| Dothan, AL | $61,900 | Below avg (83.8) | $73,837 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $61,960 | Below avg (87.6) | $70,705 |
| Grand Island, NE | $60,810 | Below avg (86.7) | $70,173 |
| Minot, ND | $61,030 | Below avg (87.0) | $70,127 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $58,600 | Below avg (83.8) | $69,924 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $60,970 | Below avg (88.8) | $68,685 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $59,360 | Below avg (86.7) | $68,495 |
| Rochester, MN | $62,180 | Below avg (90.8) | $68,464 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $63,070 | Below avg (92.2) | $68,421 |
| Bismarck, ND | $62,000 | Below avg (91.0) | $68,114 |
| Decatur, AL | $59,390 | Below avg (87.2) | $68,098 |
| Iowa City, IA | $61,960 | Below avg (91.5) | $67,709 |