Truck Driver Salary in Colorado (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment data, and carrier-published pay bands.
Colorado sits at a Mountain West freight crossroads — Denver distribution hub, I-70 transcontinental (through Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel — winter mountain driving is a real skill premium), I-25 (Mexico-Canada spine) through Denver and Colorado Springs, plus energy sector (Front Range oil/gas patch) and agricultural (Eastern Plains). CO state median pay runs above national. This guide extracts BLS OEWS for Colorado against the national $57,440 median for SOC 53-3032 (May 2024).1
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — CO median annual wage: $58,480.3 That's $1,040 above national — roughly 1.8% above national.1
- CO state employment: ~22,430 heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.3
- Top paying CO metros: Denver–Aurora–Centennial MSA; Colorado Springs MSA; Boulder MSA (tech logistics).
- Dominant freight segments: Denver metro distribution; I-70 mountain-pass freight (premium winter driving skill); Front Range oil/gas (Denver-Julesburg Basin); I-25 N-S transcontinental; agricultural (cattle, wheat, corn Eastern Plains); aerospace/defense (Lockheed Martin Littleton, Ball Aerospace, Space Force Buckley).
- Pay premium endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N) (oilfield), Doubles/Triples (T).
- Cross-reference: Colorado CDL Requirements guide.
CO Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
BLS OEWS state data for SOC 53-3032 in CO, May 2024 reference period. Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_co.htm.3
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median (50th percentile) | $58,480 | BLS OEWS state cell, May 2024.3 |
| Annual mean wage | ~$60,000–$62,000 | Mean above median; oilfield + LTL upper-tail. |
| Annual 10th percentile | ~$39,500–$41,500 | Entry-level. |
| Annual 25th percentile | ~$47,500–$50,000 | |
| Annual 75th percentile | ~$70,000–$74,500 | Experienced dedicated, LTL, oilfield specialty. |
| Annual 90th percentile | ~$84,500–$91,500 | LTL linehaul seniority, oilfield tanker, mountain-pass specialty. |
| State employment | ~22,430 | Per BLS state OEWS.3 |
National percentile reference: p10 $37,930 · p25 $46,120 · p50 $57,440 · p75 $71,990 · p90 $81,710.1
How CO Compares to National
CO's $58,480 state median runs $1,040 above national.13 Mountain-pass driving premium + oilfield specialty + Denver distribution all drive above-national nominal pay. BEA RPP shows Colorado slightly above national — Denver metro is the primary cost driver.4
Metro variation: - Above state median: Denver MSA, Boulder MSA. - Near state median: Colorado Springs MSA, Fort Collins. - Below state median: Rural Eastern Plains, mountain towns (Grand Junction, Durango).
Top CO Metros for Truck Drivers
Denver (Denver–Aurora–Centennial MSA)
The dominant CO trucking metro: - Major Mountain West distribution hub — Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, Home Depot DCs. - I-70 / I-25 / I-76 / C-470 convergence. - Denver International Airport cargo. - Aerospace — Lockheed Martin Littleton, Ball Aerospace, Raytheon (Aurora). - Oil/gas patch adjacency — Denver-Julesburg Basin to the north and east.
Denver MSA OEWS posts above CO state mean. Current MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_19740.htm.5
Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs MSA)
Military freight (Fort Carson, Schriever, Peterson, Buckley Space Force, Air Force Academy) + distribution + tech. Tracks near state median. Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_17820.htm.5
Boulder (Boulder MSA)
Tech + research + CU Boulder logistics. Smaller metro; tracks at or near state median.5
Front Range Oil/Gas (Weld County — Greeley)
Oilfield services for the Denver-Julesburg Basin — frac water, crude oil tanker, oilfield equipment. Premium pay for experienced oilfield CDL-A. Greeley-Weld County specific.5
I-70 Mountain Corridor (Vail, Eagle, Summit County)
Mountain-pass freight specialty. Lower per-metro employment but premium pay for experienced winter-capable drivers. Resort/hospitality seasonal freight.
Major Freight Industries Driving CO Pay
| Industry | Freight footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver metro distribution | Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, Home Depot DCs | None required | $64–$88k experienced. |
| I-70 mountain-pass freight | Front Range to Western Slope + through-traffic | Winter-driving skill premium; H for hazmat | Winter skill premium; $65–$92k experienced. |
| Oilfield (Denver-Julesburg Basin) | Greeley / Weld County | N+H for crude/hazmat | $72–$100k+ experienced oilfield specialty. |
| LTL linehaul | I-25 / I-70 corridor (ODFL, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight) | T highly valuable | Senior $82–$105k+. |
| Military / federal | Colorado Springs + Denver | Clearance required for some | $68–$92k experienced dedicated. |
| Agricultural / cattle | Eastern Plains | None required | Seasonal $58–$82k. |
| Aerospace tier-1 | Lockheed Martin Littleton, Ball, Raytheon Aurora | Specialty training | $68–$92k experienced. |
| Tanker / petroleum | Statewide fuel distribution | N+H | $72–$98k experienced. |
Major Carriers Hiring in CO
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Knight-Swift, Heartland.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO Logistics, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, Estes Express, R+L Carriers, Averitt.
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Target, Amazon (multiple CO DCs), Costco, Home Depot, Safeway/Albertsons regional distribution, King Soopers (Kroger subsidiary).
- Oilfield specialty: Multiple Front Range oilfield service operators serving Denver-Julesburg Basin.
- Mountain specialty: Carriers with I-70 winter-capable equipment for Vail/Summit freight.
- Tanker / petroleum: Kenan Advantage Group, Marathon Petroleum distribution, local fuel distributors.
- Auto-haul: Jack Cooper, Cassens Transport.
- CO-HQ specialty: Arrow Electronics logistics (Centennial), Western Union (Denver metro).
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $62–$82k. Denver origin loads on I-70, I-25, I-76.
- Regional (CO + WY/NE/KS/NM/UT): $65–$88k.
- Local / home-daily: $54–$85k.
- Dedicated: $66–$92k.
- Oilfield (Denver-Julesburg Basin): $72–$100k+ experienced specialty.
- LTL linehaul: $82–$105k+ senior.
- Mountain-pass winter freight: Premium with proven experience $65–$95k.
- Owner-operator: variable $68–$145k net.
Use CPM → Annual Salary calculator + Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
CO CDL and Licensing
Colorado CDL Requirements guide. Colorado DMV (Dept of Revenue); $17.50 CDL (among lowest nationally), $19 CLP, $12.30 duplicate; 4-year cycle; CSTIMS skills-test system; non-domiciled CDLs paused 2025-09-29.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Colorado in 2026? CO state median for SOC 53-3032 is $58,480 per BLS OEWS May 20243 — approximately 1.8% above national $57,440.1 Experienced drivers on specialty freight (senior LTL, oilfield Denver-Julesburg Basin, mountain-pass specialty) push into $85–$105k. Entry-level drivers earn $42–$50k year one.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Colorado? Oilfield specialty on the Denver-Julesburg Basin (Weld County) with N and H endorsements is commonly the highest-paying CDL-A lane — experienced oilfield drivers exceed $85–$105k. Senior LTL linehaul at I-25/I-70 majors with T endorsement matches this. Mountain-pass winter specialty (I-70) commands real premium for proven drivers.
Where in CO do truck drivers get paid the most? Denver MSA leads on distribution density + aerospace dedicated. Greeley / Weld County leads on oilfield specialty. Colorado Springs on military freight. Boulder on tech logistics. Mountain metros premium for experienced winter drivers.
Is CO a good state for truck drivers? Yes — diverse freight economy (distribution, oilfield, aerospace, mountain-pass, military, agricultural). Denver is a primary Mountain West distribution hub. Mountain-pass winter driving is a real skill premium and career differentiator. High-altitude operation adds unique considerations (engine derating, brake cooling).
How does CO truck driver pay compare to Utah? CO state median ($58,480) is slightly above UT state median (typically $54,820). Both above or near national. CO's oilfield premium + mountain-pass specialty edge UT on upper tail; both have strong I-70/I-80 OTR dynamics.
Can I make six figures as a truck driver in Colorado? Yes. Oilfield Denver-Julesburg Basin specialty (N + H endorsements); senior LTL linehaul; mountain-pass winter specialty; aerospace tier-1 dedicated; Walmart Private Fleet; specialty tanker with X endorsement.
What are the largest carriers hiring in CO in 2026? Based on public recruiting: Schneider, Werner, Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Walmart Private Fleet, King Soopers (Kroger), Safeway/Albertsons, Costco, Amazon, oilfield specialty carriers (multiple Weld County operators). Verify current pay bands via each recruiting portal.
I-70 mountain-pass driving — what's unique? Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel, Loveland Pass, Glenwood Canyon — all challenge CMV operation in winter. CDOT triggers chain requirements and occasionally closures. High-altitude engine derating affects fuel economy. Steep grades require downshift discipline and brake management. Experienced mountain drivers command real pay premium.
Oilfield CDL work in the Denver-Julesburg Basin — what's involved? Crude oil tanker, frac water hauling (fresh and produced water), oilfield equipment moves. N (tanker) endorsement essential; H (hazmat) for crude. Oilfield carriers offer premium pay but demanding schedules, remote locations, and specialized equipment training.
Sources
-
BLS OEWS, "53-3032," May 2024 national.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm↩↩↩↩↩ -
BLS OOH, "Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — Pay."
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm#tab-5↩ -
BLS OEWS, "May 2024 State Estimates — Colorado."
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_co.htm↩↩↩↩↩↩↩ -
U.S. BEA, "Regional Price Parities."
https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area↩ -
BLS OEWS, "May 2024 Metro Estimates." Denver-Aurora-Centennial MSA:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_19740.htm· Colorado Springs MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_17820.htm· Boulder MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_14500.htm· Greeley MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_24540.htm· All CO MSAs:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm↩↩↩↩
