Truck Driver Salary in Rhode Island
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Rhode Island. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$59,660
CDL-B Avg
$46,200
Non-CDL Avg
$49,580
Owner-Op Gross
$195,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Rhode Island truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's cost of living is 8% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$59,660
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$55,241
After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living index of 108, a CDL-A salary of $59,660 provides the same purchasing power as $55,241 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which Rhode Island metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Rhode Island, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $64,433 | 112 | Rising |
| Cranston | $57,274 | 106 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's tiny size limits trucking opportunities, but its position between Boston and New York on I-95 and the Port of Providence create steady local and regional demand.
Rhode Island vs National Average
| Category | RI | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $59,660 | $59,710 | $-50 |
| Cost of Living | 108 | 100 | +8 |
| Adjusted Pay | $55,241 | $59,710 | $-4,469 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Rhode Island
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Rhode Island, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$60,000 - $84,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$63,000 - $89,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$65,000 - $91,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$66,000 - $93,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$69,000 - $97,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$46,000 - $65,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$52,000 - $73,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$52,500 - $74,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$45,000 - $63,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Rhode Island
What do truckers earn in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island CDL-A drivers average $59,660. The small state favors local delivery runs, with most drivers based in the Providence metro area.
What kind of trucking work is available in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island trucking is primarily local and regional: LTL delivery, food distribution, heating oil delivery, and Port of Providence freight. Many RI drivers run routes into Massachusetts and Connecticut daily.
Is Rhode Island too small for a trucking career?
Rhode Island's size means limited in-state miles, but its I-95 location between Boston and NYC makes it a great base for regional drivers. Many carriers based in RI service all of New England.
What does Rhode Island pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Rhode Island
- Entry Level driver pay in Rhode Island
- Mid Level driver pay in Rhode Island
- Experienced driver pay in Rhode Island
- Veteran driver pay in Rhode Island