Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) Salary in Texas
Statewide median pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what it costs to get into the trade here.
Median annual
$54,550
statewide
Median hourly
$26.22
per hour
Jobs in state
212,770
people employed
Cost to enter
$122
licence + training
What the licence costs against the pay
At the state median, the licence and training pay for themselves in roughly 0.0 months of work. That is the number to compare when you are choosing between states — a cheaper licence in a lower-paying state can still be the slower route to break even.
Pay in other states
| State | Median annual | Licence cost | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $58,270 | $146 | 0 mo |
| Florida | $52,760 | $75 | 0 mo |
| Texas | $54,550 | $122 | 0 mo |
How to read these numbers
- Median, not average. A handful of very high earners drag the average up; the median is the middle person.
- Statewide. Metro pay in this trade often runs 10–25% above the state figure, and rural areas below it.
- Before overtime. BLS base pay excludes overtime and shift differentials, which matter a lot in this trade.
Sources
- BLS OEWS state table (archive snapshot)Median annual wage for Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) in Texas, May 2024
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-fees“Age 18 to 84: new | $97 | Expires in eight years”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-fees“Original | $25 | Expires 180 days from issuance”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-fees“Age 18 to 84: renewal | $97 | Expires eight years after previous expiration date”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-do-i-apply-commercial-driver-license“You will be required to obtain and hold a CLP for at least 14 days.”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-do-i-apply-commercial-driver-license“Effective June 1, 2026 , the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will exclusively administer all Commercial Driver License (CDL) knowledge examinations in English .”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/entry-level-driver-training-edlt“The FMCSA Training Provider Registry (dot.gov ) provides a comprehensive list of qualified instructors and training programs across the country.”