Truck Driver Salary in North Carolina
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in North Carolina. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$55,810
CDL-B Avg
$45,500
Non-CDL Avg
$42,660
Owner-Op Gross
$198,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How North Carolina truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in North Carolina
North Carolina's cost of living is 6% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$55,810
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$59,372
After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living index of 94, a CDL-A salary of $55,810 provides the same purchasing power as $59,372 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in North Carolina than the raw salary suggests.
Which North Carolina metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in North Carolina, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $62,507 | 98 | Rising |
| Raleigh | $60,275 | 100 | Rising |
| Greensboro | $58,042 | 92 | Rising |
| Fayetteville | $58,042 | 89 | Rising |
| Winston-Salem | $58,042 | 96 | Rising |
| Wilmington | $55,810 | 94 | Stable |
| Greenville | $55,810 | 94 | Stable |
Salary Trend in North Carolina
North Carolina trucking pay is rising as the Charlotte metro booms with distribution center growth and the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point) maintains its position as a logistics corridor.
North Carolina vs National Average
| Category | NC | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $55,810 | $59,710 | $-3,900 |
| Cost of Living | 94 | 100 | -6 |
| Adjusted Pay | $59,372 | $59,710 | $-338 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in North Carolina
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in North Carolina, 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
$51,500 - $72,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$57,500 - $81,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$58,500 - $82,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$64,500 - $91,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$52,500 - $74,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$43,000 - $61,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$49,000 - $69,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$49,500 - $69,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$53,500 - $75,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$54,500 - $77,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$51,500 - $72,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$42,000 - $59,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in North Carolina
What do truck drivers make in North Carolina?
North Carolina CDL-A drivers average $55,810. Charlotte drivers earn the most as the metro area attracts major distribution operations from Amazon, Lowe's, and numerous 3PL providers.
Which North Carolina cities are best for trucking?
Charlotte leads in pay and opportunities, followed by the Piedmont Triad area (Greensboro/High Point) which has a dense concentration of furniture, textile, and general merchandise warehouses along I-85 and I-40.
What industries drive NC trucking demand?
Furniture manufacturing (High Point), banking/financial logistics (Charlotte), tobacco products, agriculture (sweet potatoes, hogs), and the Research Triangle's pharmaceutical and technology supply chains.
What does North Carolina pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in North Carolina
- Entry Level driver pay in North Carolina
- Mid Level driver pay in North Carolina
- Experienced driver pay in North Carolina
- Veteran driver pay in North Carolina