Truck Driver Salary in Michigan
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Michigan. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$56,370
CDL-B Avg
$47,200
Non-CDL Avg
$46,720
Owner-Op Gross
$205,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Michigan truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Michigan
Michigan's cost of living is 9% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$56,370
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$61,945
After adjusting for Michigan's cost of living index of 91, a CDL-A salary of $56,370 provides the same purchasing power as $61,945 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in Michigan than the raw salary suggests.
Which Michigan metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Michigan 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 Michigan
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Michigan, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $63,134 | 89 | Rising |
| Grand Rapids | $60,880 | 90 | Rising |
| Lansing | $56,370 | 87 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Michigan
Michigan trucking wages are stable, driven by the automotive supply chain (Detroit's Big Three), cross-border freight with Canada via the Ambassador Bridge, and furniture manufacturing in Grand Rapids.
Michigan vs National Average
| Category | MI | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $56,370 | $59,710 | $-3,340 |
| Cost of Living | 91 | 100 | -9 |
| Adjusted Pay | $61,945 | $59,710 | +$2,235 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Michigan
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Michigan, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$52,000 - $73,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$56,500 - $80,000/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 - $84,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$61,000 - $86,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$62,000 - $88,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$65,500 - $92,500/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
$49,500 - $69,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$50,000 - $70,500/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
$52,000 - $73,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$42,500 - $60,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Michigan
What do truck drivers make in Michigan?
Michigan CDL-A drivers average $56,370. Detroit-area drivers earn the most thanks to automotive manufacturing logistics and cross-border trade with Ontario, Canada.
How does the auto industry affect Michigan trucking?
The automotive sector drives enormous just-in-time freight demand. Parts haulers, car carriers, and supply chain drivers are in constant demand between assembly plants, tier-1 suppliers, and distribution centers.
Is cross-border trucking to Canada big in Michigan?
Yes, the Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connect Detroit to Windsor, Ontario. Cross-border drivers with FAST cards and proper paperwork earn premium rates for US-Canada runs.
What does Michigan pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Michigan
- Entry Level driver pay in Michigan
- Mid Level driver pay in Michigan
- Experienced driver pay in Michigan
- Veteran driver pay in Michigan