How much does a truck driver make in Texas? In many cases, if someone raises the question of how much money does a truck driver make in Texas, their listener would expect to get one average number. In fact, the earnings of truck drivers in Texas are influenced by several factors like: experience level, CDL Class A status, route type, freight specialization, and whether the driver is an employee of a company or an owner-operator. Texas, being the second largest trucking market in the USA, has trucks going to many different destinations, which results in multiple pay levels instead of just one average figure.
In practice, truck driver salary figures in Texas form a wide range rather than a fixed benchmark.
Texas truck driver salaries reflect not only mileage and freight demand but also regional economies, oilfield activities, border trade, and the trucking industry structure itself. In this article, that will be shown through jobs driver categories, experience levels, and freight categories that will point out different areas to make good money and get the best trucking jobs.
This diversity explains why trucking industry salaries in Texas vary significantly even within the same role.
What Is Driving The Unique Trucking Market In Texas?
Texas is not just another trucking state but a logistics hub that works with ports, borders, oilfields, manufacturing centers, and agricultural regions. Hence, the scenario of the trucking job market in Texas is rather diversified than in the other states.
This environment continuously creates new trucking job opportunities across multiple freight segments.
Key factors that make Texas state far away are:
- Monster truck freight running through various industries
- Sky high demand for CDL Class A drivers
- Element of oilfield trucking and special haul operations
- A mix of long-haul, regional, and local truck driver jobs
- The scale-driven competition in the trucking industry results in better salaries
This is the very reason, truck driver income in Texas varies from low-paid to drivers with the highest compensation packages not only in the state but also in the whole country.
In some cases, these roles represent truly high-paying trucking jobs by national standards.
Average Truck Driver Salary in Texas
Let us look at the numbers first before getting into the specialty areas. According to national averages and state-level labor sources, truck drivers in Texas usually make about the same or even a bit more than what the national median pays which relies much on the freight type and routes.
These averages are commonly used as a reference point for truck driver wages discussions.
Estimated Annual Truck Driver Pay in Texas
| Driver Category | Typical Annual Pay |
| Entry-level truck driver | $45,000 – $55,000 |
| Local truck driver | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Over-the-road truck driver | $60,000 – $75,000 |
| Team drivers | $75,000 – $95,000 |
| Owner-operator | $90,000 – $150,000+ |
| Specialized hauling | $80,000 – $120,000 |
The numbers above show the amount of money drivers can make before taxes and expenses are deducted. The real amount for a driver might be different based on his mileage, downtime, and operational cost.
This distinction is essential when evaluating total truck driver compensation.
New Truck Driver through Entry Level Wages in Texas
The offer for newcomers to the state is that it is relatively easy to get into the trucking industry in the state of Texas. As a truck driver with entry-level CDL Class A, you are benefitted with regional or over-the-road routes.
At this stage, the truck driver pay scale is primarily influenced by training completion and safety records.
The most common characteristics of entry-level jobs are:
- Lower cents-per-mile rates
- Fewer endorsements
- Assigned freight types
- More supervision and restrictions
In spite of the lower starting pay, Texas offers a quicker path to advancements due to the high freight volume. Many drivers can increase their earnings upon completing their initial 12–18 months.
Local Truck Driver Salaries
Local truck driver positions in Texas are in demand because of the certainty of the working hours and daily home. When evaluating how much does a truck driver make in Texas, local roles are often compared separately due to their predictable schedules and shorter routes. The remuneration for local drivers may be less than long-haul drivers earn but the stability is recognizable. For many drivers, this trade-off still supports steady truck driver earnings over time.
The factors that impact the pay of local truck drivers are as follows:
- City vs rural operations
- Hourly vs salary structure
- Type of freight handled
- Private fleet vs common carrier
Urban areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio usually pay more per local truck driver due to congestion, volume and cost of living.
These markets also offer some of the most consistent trucking jobs in Texas.
Over-the-Road Truck Drivers: Long-Haul Earnings
The over-the-road truck driver-related jobs are still one of the most reliable ways to elevate your income in Texas. The combination of the long routes, more mileage, and national lanes brings extra gross earnings.
This segment heavily shapes overall truck driver wages across the state.
The reasons contributing to focus on peppers:
- Clean safety record
- Experience level
- Willingness to run coast-to-coast
- Endorsements such as hazmat or tanker
This is where drivers, who usually ask what a truck driver makes in Texas, learn that distance and flexibility usually directly translate into more money.
How Much Do Truck Drivers Make In Texas?
Owner-Operator Responsibilities and Income in Texas
Owner-operators, who are regarded as the top wind-up sector of truck drivers’ gross, also carry the top-tier business risk. Texas is a top-notch choice for owner-operators because it is rich in fuel, has nearly straightforward access to multiple markets, and additional freight is everywhere.
The debate of company vs. owner-operator becomes especially relevant in this environment.
The owner-operator’s income is based on:
- Ownership and upkeep of the equipment
- Fuel costs and tax obligations
- Type of freight and contracts
- Route selection and efficiency
Although the gross revenue can exceed $150,000 every year, the net income can vary. Profit-sharing and tax compliance are described as the characteristics that differentiate successful operators from those struggling with unpaid tax debts or cash-flow inconsistency.
Commodities and Transportation of Oilfield Trucking
Texas is among the states where oilfield trucking, compared to truck drivers’ pay, has a more significant influence. Specialized roles in this field include:
- Transporting oilfield equipment
- Oversized and heavy haul
- Hazmat and tanker operations
These specialized roles are a form of specialized hauling that demands endorsements and experience. In return, these positions are often among the top earners in Texas.
Private Fleet Drivers vs Common Carriers
Private fleet drivers are hired directly by the manufacturers, retailers, or distributors instead of freight carriers. In Texas, fleets most times come with:
- Higher base pay
- Better benefits
- Predictable routes
- Lower turnover
However, some common carriers provide extra flexibility especially the speed of entry which is more than the private fleet drivers, in turn, chicken out and earn higher in the long run.
This contrast further shapes overall truck driver compensation strategies.
How Experience Level Affects Pay
One of the most influential predictors of a truck driver’s earnings is the level of experience. In Texas, carriers often tend to form their pay rate increases around milestones:
| Experience Level | Impact on Pay |
| 0–1 year | Entry rates, limited routes |
| 1–3 years | Access to better freight |
| 3–5 years | Higher CPM, bonuses |
| 5+ years | Premium lanes, specialized work |
Experience also can lead to additional endorsements and route flexibility, both of which increase income potential and improve truck driver earnings stability.
Freight Type and Route Type Matter
Freight rates vary depending on the type of freight. Also, in Texas, the freight type and route type can be more important than the basic CPM rates.
This is one of the key drivers behind differences in trucking industry salaries.
Higher-paying freight categories include:
- Time-sensitive freight
- Hazardous materials
- Oversized loads
- Oilfield equipment
Longer routes typically pay more annually, while short-haul routes offer consistency rather than maximum earnings.
Texas vs National Averages
Truck driver wages in Texas are close to the national average but exceed them in a few specialized cases.
| Category | Texas | National Average |
| Entry-level | Slightly higher | Baseline |
| OTR | Comparable | Comparable |
| Oilfield | Much higher | Limited availability |
| Owner-operator | Higher potential | Variable |
Drivers can take advantage of this balance mostly at the beginning of their careers.
Trucking Job Opportunities and Market Outlook
The Texas trucking job market regains its health through:
- More traffic on the roads
- The energy sector’s constant demand
- Cross-border trade
- Increasing population
This outlook supports long-term trucking job opportunities for both new and experienced drivers.
Final Thoughts
The answer to how much does a truck driver make in Texas depends on far more than mileage alone. Experience level, freight type, endorsements, and operational discipline all shape truck driver income.
Texas offers exceptional trucking opportunities, from entry-level positions to high-paying specialized roles Texas continues to offer some of the strongest truck driver pay prospects in the country.In trucking, income is not only about driving — it is about decisions.
FAQ
What is the salary range for truck drivers who just got started in Texas?
Entry-level truck drivers in Texas usually get a salary between 45,000 and 55,000 dollars a year. The starting salary depends on the type of CDL (A or not), the freight type, the route and whether it is regional or long-haul. Texas,
due to larger loads, often reserves faster income growth than the average number of states.
Are logistic salaries in Texas less than the national average?
Yes. Trucking salaries in Texas are always in the vicinity of national averages, however, they can be higher in some specialized fields such as oilfield trucking, oversized freight, and owner-operator jobs.
Are local truck driver jobs in Texas lower-paying than OTR jobs?
Local truck drivers usually make less money annually compared to over-the-road drivers but they have the advantage of set schedules and daily home time. For most drivers, this mix enables them to earn consistently in the long term while driving trucks.
What is the average salary for team drivers in Texas?
Texas team drivers are usually making from $75,000 to $95,000 per driver on the average per year. Due to the fact that team drivers keep the trucks running for longer hours, the total miles leads to a higher average pay rate.
What influences trucking salaries primarily?
The major determinants of trucking salaries are seniority, freight type, the kind of route, endorsements, and driver type(rates for company drivers vs owner-operators).
Is Texas an excellent state to earn good money in trucking?
Certainly! Texas, with oilfield operations, the long trade, ports, distribution hubs presents a strong trucking job market. These things provide access to some of the very best trucking jobs in the country.
Are truck driver endorsement authorities absolutely different in Texas?
Definitely. Extra endorsements, for instance, hazmat, tanker, or oversized loads as a rule, lead to freight with higher wages and also give drivers better access to premium roadways, as a result, truck driver income increases.
How does the experience level influence truck driver earnings?
Experience is very important. With more years behind the wheel, drivers will get better freight, higher CPM rates, bonuses, and specific commodities hauling jobs.
Are owner-operators earning more than company drivers in Texas?
Yes. Owner-operators, in fact, achieve higher overall gross revenue with half of them making over 150 k dollars on average each year. Yet, net profit differs because of fuel, upkeep, and tax expenses, as well as the operational efficiency factor.
How does the prospect of trucking salaries looking in Texas in the future?
The forecast for the long term is still great. With the rise in population and energy production, trade activity continues to be active, thus making Texas one of the most stable states to earn trucking salaries in for a long time.