Truck Driver Salary in Alabama
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Alabama. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$56,230
CDL-B Avg
$42,500
Non-CDL Avg
$43,930
Owner-Op Gross
$175,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Alabama truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Alabama
Alabama's cost of living is 11% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$56,230
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$63,180
After adjusting for Alabama's cost of living index of 89, a CDL-A salary of $56,230 provides the same purchasing power as $63,180 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in Alabama than the raw salary suggests.
Which Alabama metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Alabama average scaled for metro size. Where two metros show the same number it is because they sit in the same population band — we do not hold data fine-grained enough to separate them, and we would rather say so than invent a difference.
Salary by City in Alabama
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Alabama, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $60,728 | 88 | Rising |
| Huntsville | $58,479 | 92 | Stable |
| Mobile | $56,230 | 86 | Stable |
| Montgomery | $56,230 | 89 | Stable |
| Dothan | $53,981 | 87 | Stable |
| Decatur | $53,981 | 84 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Alabama
Alabama trucking wages have risen 4% year-over-year, driven by growing automotive and aerospace manufacturing in Huntsville and Birmingham corridors.
Alabama vs National Average
| Category | AL | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $56,230 | $59,710 | $-3,480 |
| Cost of Living | 89 | 100 | -11 |
| Adjusted Pay | $63,180 | $59,710 | +$3,470 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Alabama
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Alabama, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$51,500 - $73,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$56,500 - $79,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$61,000 - $86,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$62,000 - $87,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$65,000 - $92,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$53,000 - $74,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$43,500 - $61,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$49,000 - $69,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$49,500 - $70,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$54,000 - $76,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$51,500 - $73,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$42,500 - $60,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Alabama
What is the average truck driver salary in Alabama?
CDL-A drivers in Alabama earn an average of $56,230 per year. When adjusted for the state's lower cost of living (89% of national average), the effective purchasing power is equivalent to $63,180 nationally.
Which Alabama cities pay truck drivers the most?
Birmingham leads, followed by Huntsville and Mobile. Port traffic in Mobile and manufacturing logistics in Birmingham drive higher wages.
Is Alabama a good state for owner-operator truckers?
Yes. Alabama owner-operators gross around $175,000 annually with lower operating costs than coastal states. The I-65 corridor provides consistent freight from the Port of Mobile to Nashville and beyond.
What does Alabama pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Alabama
- Entry Level driver pay in Alabama
- Mid Level driver pay in Alabama
- Experienced driver pay in Alabama
- Veteran driver pay in Alabama