Truck driving is a career unlike any other and drivers play a vital role in life as we know it. Some states have more drivers than others. Some cities need more drivers than others. Learn about which states and cities have the most truck drivers. Is yours on the list?
States with the Most Truck Drivers in 2021
The following data was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is data reported for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. Keep in mind that this data does not include self-employed truck drivers.
Texas
Texas employed the most truck drivers out of any state in 2021. Data collected reflects a rough estimate of 202,270 truck drivers in the state. Texan truck drivers earned an average annual pay of $48,150 in 2021.
California
California employed the second most truck drivers in 2021. Collected data reported a rough estimate of 179,450 truck drivers in the state. Californian truckers earned an average annual pay of $52,130 in 2021.
Florida
Florida ranks as third in the highest employment of truck drivers in 2021. Data collected shows a rough estimate of 88,980 truck drivers in the state. Floridian drivers earned an average annual pay of $44,980 in 2021.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania also reports some of the highest employment for truck drivers in 2021. Collected data reported a rough estimate of 87,390 truck drivers in the state. Pennsylvanian drivers earned an average annual pay of $49,270 in 2021.
Ohio
Ohio also has a high employment rate reported for truck drivers in 2021. Data collected reflects a rough estimate of 86,200 drivers in the state. Ohioan drivers earned an average annual pay of $48,900 in 2021.
Texas, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio were the top 5 states employing the most truck drivers according to 2021 data collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cities/Metropolitan Areas Employing the Most Truck Drivers
To explore truck driver employment on a more granular level, we’ll now look at which metropolitan areas have the highest employment rates for truck drivers. Again, this 2021 data was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Heavy Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. It does not include truck drivers who are self-employed.
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY, NJ, PA
In terms of city areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City employed the most truck drivers in 2021, with an estimated 63,590 drivers total. Data from the BLS also shows that the yearly income for truck drivers in this area was averaged at $58,580.
Dallas-Fort Worth- Arlington, TX
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area holds the second highest employment rate for truck drivers in 2021, with an estimated 60,790 drivers total. Data from the BLS also shows the yearly income for these truck drivers was averaged at $50,720.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL, IN, WI
Coming in at the third highest employment rate for truck drivers in 2021 is the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, with an estimated total of 54,600 drivers. Data from the BLS also shows the annual income for these drivers was averaged at $56,840.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
The Los Angeles-Long Beach- Anaheim area had the fourth highest employment rate for truck drivers in 2021, with an estimated 49,540 drivers. Data from the BLS also shows that the income for these drivers was averaged at $51,190.
Houston-The Woodlands- Sugar Land, TX
The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area occupied the fifth highest employment rate for truck drivers in 2021, with an estimated 45,870 drivers. Data from the BLS also shows that the income for these drivers was averaged at $49,360.
Become a Truck Driver!
Whichever state or city you’re from, now is still a great time to become a truck driver. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2031 an average of 259,900 new driver job openings will be available nationwide.
Already a truck driver but looking for your next driving job? Explore different trucking jobs in your area.
