Truck Driver Salary in New Jersey
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in New Jersey. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$66,770
CDL-B Avg
$54,800
Non-CDL Avg
$49,810
Owner-Op Gross
$265,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How New Jersey truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in New Jersey
New Jersey's cost of living is 20% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$66,770
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$55,642
After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living index of 120, a CDL-A salary of $66,770 provides the same purchasing power as $55,642 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which New Jersey metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in New Jersey, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
Salary Trend in New Jersey
New Jersey offers top-5 trucking wages nationally, driven by the Port of Newark (one of the busiest on the East Coast), massive warehouse corridors along the NJ Turnpike, and proximity to NYC.
New Jersey vs National Average
| Category | NJ | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $66,770 | $59,710 | +$7,060 |
| Cost of Living | 120 | 100 | +20 |
| Adjusted Pay | $55,642 | $59,710 | $-4,068 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in New Jersey
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in New Jersey, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
Dump Truck & Hotshot Flatbed Driver
Based on experience · Discussed on the call
OTR Dry Van Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$67,000 - $94,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$69,000 - $97,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$70,000 - $99,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$70,500 - $100,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$72,500 - $102,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$73,500 - $104,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$77,500 - $109,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$51,500 - $73,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$58,500 - $82,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$64,000 - $90,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$65,000 - $92,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$50,500 - $71,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in New Jersey
What is the average truck driver salary in New Jersey?
New Jersey CDL-A drivers average $66,770 — among the highest nationally. Port drayage drivers at Newark/Elizabeth can earn with the constant flow of container freight.
Why does New Jersey pay truckers so well?
The Port of Newark-Elizabeth is the busiest on the East Coast, and New Jersey's I-95/NJ Turnpike corridor contains one of the densest concentrations of warehouses in the world, creating intense driver demand.
What are the downsides of trucking in New Jersey?
Heavy congestion (especially near the George Washington Bridge and NJ Turnpike), high toll costs ($15+ for trucks on some routes), tight delivery windows, and the 120% cost of living offset some of the high wages.
What does New Jersey pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in New Jersey
- Entry Level driver pay in New Jersey
- Mid Level driver pay in New Jersey
- Experienced driver pay in New Jersey
- Veteran driver pay in New Jersey