Truck Driver Salary in West Virginia
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in West Virginia. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$52,440
CDL-B Avg
$41,200
Non-CDL Avg
$46,530
Owner-Op Gross
$170,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How West Virginia truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in West Virginia
West Virginia's cost of living is 16% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$52,440
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$62,429
After adjusting for West Virginia's cost of living index of 84, a CDL-A salary of $52,440 provides the same purchasing power as $62,429 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in West Virginia than the raw salary suggests.
Which West Virginia metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the West 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 West Virginia
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in West Virginia, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $52,440 | 88 | Stable |
| Huntington | $52,440 | 84 | Stable |
Salary Trend in West Virginia
West Virginia trucking wages face pressure as coal industry decline reduces specialized hauling demand. However, natural gas (Marcellus Shale) and pipeline construction are partially offsetting losses.
West Virginia vs National Average
| Category | WV | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $52,440 | $59,710 | $-7,270 |
| Cost of Living | 84 | 100 | -16 |
| Adjusted Pay | $62,429 | $59,710 | +$2,719 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in West Virginia
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in West Virginia, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$48,000 - $68,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$52,500 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$54,000 - $76,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$55,500 - $78,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$49,000 - $69,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$40,500 - $57,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$46,000 - $65,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$46,500 - $65,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$50,000 - $71,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$51,000 - $72,500/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$48,000 - $68,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$39,500 - $56,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in West Virginia
What do truck drivers earn in West Virginia?
West Virginia CDL-A drivers average $52,440. While nominal pay is among the lowest nationally, the 84% cost of living index gives an effective purchasing power of $62,429.
How is the coal decline affecting WV trucking?
Coal's decline has reduced demand for specialized coal haulers, but natural gas extraction (Marcellus Shale) has created new opportunities for water haulers, frac sand transporters, and pipeline equipment movers.
What are the biggest trucking challenges in West Virginia?
Mountain terrain on nearly every route, winding two-lane roads, harsh winters, and limited interstate access in many areas. Drivers need excellent mountain driving skills and proper equipment maintenance.
What does West Virginia pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in West Virginia
- Entry Level driver pay in West Virginia
- Mid Level driver pay in West Virginia
- Experienced driver pay in West Virginia
- Veteran driver pay in West Virginia