Truck Driver Salary in Virginia
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Virginia. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$57,770
CDL-B Avg
$48,200
Non-CDL Avg
$45,390
Owner-Op Gross
$215,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Virginia truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Virginia
Virginia's cost of living is 3% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$57,770
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$56,087
After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living index of 103, a CDL-A salary of $57,770 provides the same purchasing power as $56,087 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which Virginia metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Virginia 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 Virginia
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Virginia, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
Salary Trend in Virginia
Virginia trucking pay is rising as the Port of Virginia (Norfolk) expands to become the deepest port on the East Coast, and Northern Virginia data center construction creates specialized hauling demand.
Virginia vs National Average
| Category | VA | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $57,770 | $59,710 | $-1,940 |
| Cost of Living | 103 | 100 | +3 |
| Adjusted Pay | $56,087 | $59,710 | $-3,623 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Virginia
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Virginia, 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
$53,000 - $75,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$61,000 - $86,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$64,000 - $90,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$67,000 - $94,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$54,000 - $76,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$44,500 - $63,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$50,500 - $71,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$51,000 - $72,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$55,500 - $78,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$56,500 - $79,500/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$53,000 - $75,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$43,500 - $61,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Virginia
What do truck drivers earn in Virginia?
Virginia CDL-A drivers average $57,770. Norfolk drivers earn the most thanks to the Port of Virginia's growing container operations and military logistics for the Norfolk Naval Base.
How does the Port of Virginia affect trucking?
The Port of Virginia is investing billions in expansion to handle the largest container ships. This creates growing demand for port drayage drivers, with competitive pay and steady year-round work in the Hampton Roads area.
What are Virginia's trucking regions?
Virginia has distinct trucking markets: Northern VA (government/data center logistics), Hampton Roads (port/military), Richmond (distribution hub at I-95/I-64 junction), and the Shenandoah Valley (agricultural/I-81 corridor).
What does Virginia pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Virginia
- Entry Level driver pay in Virginia
- Mid Level driver pay in Virginia
- Experienced driver pay in Virginia
- Veteran driver pay in Virginia