Truck Driver Salary in North Dakota
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in North Dakota. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$63,330
CDL-B Avg
$46,000
Non-CDL Avg
$51,940
Owner-Op Gross
$210,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How North Dakota truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in North Dakota
North Dakota's cost of living is 8% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$63,330
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$68,837
After adjusting for North Dakota's cost of living index of 92, a CDL-A salary of $63,330 provides the same purchasing power as $68,837 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in North Dakota than the raw salary suggests.
Which North Dakota metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the North Dakota 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 Dakota
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in North Dakota, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
Salary Trend in North Dakota
North Dakota wages remain elevated compared to the state's low cost of living, driven by Bakken oil field hauling in western ND. Williston-area drivers earn significant premiums for energy sector work.
North Dakota vs National Average
| Category | ND | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $63,330 | $59,710 | +$3,620 |
| Cost of Living | 92 | 100 | -8 |
| Adjusted Pay | $68,837 | $59,710 | +$9,127 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in North Dakota
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in North Dakota, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$58,500 - $82,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$63,500 - $89,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$65,500 - $92,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$66,500 - $94,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$67,000 - $94,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$69,000 - $97,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$70,000 - $99,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$73,500 - $103,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$49,000 - $69,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$55,500 - $78,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$62,000 - $87,500/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$58,500 - $82,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$48,000 - $67,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in North Dakota
What do truck drivers earn in North Dakota?
North Dakota CDL-A drivers average $63,330, but oil field drivers in Williston earn the most. The 92% cost of living index gives the state excellent purchasing power.
How does the Bakken oil field affect ND trucking?
The Bakken formation drives significant demand for water haulers, frac sand transporters, equipment movers, and crude oil tanker drivers. These specialized roles pay but involve harsh conditions.
Is North Dakota trucking seasonal?
Somewhat. Winter temperatures dropping to -40F create extreme driving conditions, but oil field work continues year-round. Agricultural hauling (wheat, sunflowers, sugar beets) peaks in fall harvest season.
What does North Dakota pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in North Dakota
- Entry Level driver pay in North Dakota
- Mid Level driver pay in North Dakota
- Experienced driver pay in North Dakota
- Veteran driver pay in North Dakota