Truck Driver Salary in Indiana (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release, Indiana Department of Workforce Development data, and carrier-published pay bands.
Indiana's nickname "Crossroads of America" is freight-real — six Interstates converge (I-65, I-69, I-70, I-74, I-80, I-90). Add FedEx Ground's Indianapolis hub, multiple Amazon fulfillment centers, UPS WorldPort adjacency (Louisville is just across the Ohio River), and a major automotive supplier network, and Indiana delivers one of the highest-employment trucking states in the country with nominal pay above national median. This guide extracts BLS OEWS for Indiana against the national $57,440 median for SOC 53-3032 (May 2024).1
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — IN median annual wage: $60,370.3 That's $2,930 above national — roughly 5.1% above national.1
- IN state employment: ~57,510 heavy and tractor-trailer drivers — top-ten state employment nationally.3
- Top paying IN metros: Indianapolis–Carmel–Anderson MSA (FedEx Ground + Amazon + distribution); Fort Wayne MSA; northern Indiana (Elkhart area + South Bend).
- Dominant freight segments: FedEx Ground Indianapolis hub; Amazon fulfillment network (multiple IN centers); UPS WorldPort ground-transport adjacency; automotive supplier network (Subaru Indiana, Honda Greensburg, GM Fort Wayne, Toyota Princeton); RV manufacturing (Elkhart — RV capital of the world); LTL linehaul.
- Pay premium endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T).
- Cross-reference: Indiana CDL Requirements guide.
IN Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
BLS OEWS state data for SOC 53-3032 in IN, May 2024 reference period. Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_in.htm.3
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median (50th percentile) | $60,370 | BLS OEWS state cell, May 2024.3 |
| Annual mean wage | ~$61,500–$64,000 | Mean above median; FedEx Ground + LTL + auto-dedicated upper-tail. |
| Annual 10th percentile | ~$40,000–$42,000 | Entry-level. |
| Annual 25th percentile | ~$48,500–$51,000 | |
| Annual 75th percentile | ~$72,500–$77,000 | Experienced dedicated, FedEx Ground feeder, LTL. |
| Annual 90th percentile | ~$86,500–$93,500 | LTL linehaul seniority, specialty auto-carrier, tanker. |
| State employment | ~57,510 | Top-ten state employment nationally per BLS OEWS.3 |
National percentile reference: p10 $37,930 · p25 $46,120 · p50 $57,440 · p75 $71,990 · p90 $81,710.1
How IN Compares to National
IN's $60,370 state median runs $2,930 above national.13 Six-Interstate convergence drives persistent freight demand; FedEx Ground hub and Amazon fulfillment density keep nominal pay above national.
BEA RPP shows Indiana below national index — strong real purchasing power on IN median pay.4
Metro variation: - Above state median: Indianapolis MSA. - Near state median: Fort Wayne MSA, South Bend-Mishawaka MSA, Evansville. - Below state median: Rural IN, smaller metros.
Top IN Metros for Truck Drivers
Indianapolis (Indianapolis–Carmel–Anderson MSA)
Dominant IN trucking metro: - FedEx Ground hub at Indianapolis International Airport — major feeder/linehaul generator. - Amazon fulfillment — multiple IN centers. - I-65 / I-69 / I-70 / I-74 / I-465 convergence. - Distribution — Target, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's metro DCs. - Salesforce, Eli Lilly (HQ Indianapolis — pharma) logistics. - Indianapolis Motor Speedway + related freight seasonal.
Indianapolis MSA OEWS posts above IN state mean. Current MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_26900.htm.5
Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne MSA)
Northeast Indiana manufacturing + distribution + GM assembly. I-69 / I-469 corridor. Tracks near state median.5
South Bend–Mishawaka, Elkhart (RV capital)
Northern Indiana — Elkhart is the "RV Capital of the World" (Thor, Forest River, Winnebago, Jayco, Keystone). Significant finished-RV and tier-1 supplier freight. Tracks near state median.5
Evansville, Gary (NW Indiana)
Southwestern IN (Evansville — Toyota Princeton + Ohio River freight) + Gary (Chicago-MSA adjacent, steel industry historical). Gary tracks at or above state median due to Chicago-metro pay dynamics; Evansville near state median.5
Major Freight Industries Driving IN Pay
| Industry | Freight footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Ground Indianapolis | Indianapolis hub + feeder/linehaul | FedEx carrier-specific training | $65–$92k experienced; strong benefits. |
| Amazon fulfillment | Multiple IN centers | None required | $62–$85k experienced. |
| LTL linehaul | Statewide (ODFL, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Dayton Freight has IN presence) | T valuable | Senior $82–$105k+. |
| Automotive (Subaru/Honda/GM/Toyota) | Subaru Lafayette, Honda Greensburg, GM Fort Wayne, Toyota Princeton | Specialty training | Dedicated $68–$92k experienced. |
| RV manufacturing (Elkhart) | Northern IN Thor/Forest River/Winnebago/Jayco | Specialty training for RV transport | $62–$88k experienced RV specialty. |
| UPS WorldPort adjacency (Louisville KY across river) | Southern IN to Louisville air cargo | FedEx/UPS carrier training | Competitive feeder pay. |
| Tanker / petroleum | Statewide fuel distribution | N+H | $72–$98k experienced. |
| Steel / Gary industrial | NW Indiana steel mills | Specialty flatbed | $65–$88k experienced. |
Major Carriers Hiring in IN
- FedEx Ground / Express / Freight: Major Indianapolis operations + statewide.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO Logistics, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, Estes Express, R+L Carriers, Dayton Freight (has IN presence), Averitt Express.
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Covenant, Heartland, Celadon (historically HQ Indianapolis — note Celadon bankruptcy affected market; current successors operate).
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Amazon (multiple IN DCs), Kroger (Indianapolis distribution).
- Auto-haul: Jack Cooper, Cassens Transport — serving Subaru/Honda/GM/Toyota.
- RV transport: Horizon Transport, multiple Elkhart-based RV transporters (specialty driveaway/towaway work).
- IN-HQ specialty: Eli Lilly (Indianapolis pharma), Cummins (Columbus IN — engines + diesel logistics), multiple RV transport carriers.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $62–$84k. Six-Interstate convergence provides abundant outbound loads.
- Regional (IN + OH/IL/KY/MI): $66–$88k.
- Local / home-daily: $52–$82k; Indianapolis metro FedEx Ground $65–$92k.
- Dedicated: $68–$92k; auto-dedicated (Subaru/Honda/GM/Toyota) $68–$92k.
- LTL linehaul: $82–$105k+ senior.
- RV transport: $62–$88k specialty — driveaway/towaway work is unique lifestyle.
- Owner-operator: variable $70–$145k net.
Use CPM → Annual Salary calculator + Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
IN CDL and Licensing
Indiana CDL Requirements guide. Indiana BMV; $17 CLP, $35 CDL, $9 duplicate, $19 upgrade/downgrade; non-domiciled CDLs ceased 2025-09-29; 21+ for interstate, hazmat, or passenger.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Indiana in 2026? IN state median for SOC 53-3032 is $60,370 per BLS OEWS May 20243 — approximately 5.1% above national $57,440.1 Experienced drivers on specialty freight (senior LTL linehaul, FedEx Ground feeder, auto-dedicated) push into $85–$105k. Entry-level drivers earn $42–$50k year one.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Indiana? Senior LTL linehaul at Indianapolis-area majors with T endorsement is commonly the highest-paying conventional CDL-A lane — experienced drivers exceed $85–$105k. FedEx Ground senior linehaul, specialty auto-dedicated, and specialty tanker can match.
Where in IN do truck drivers get paid the most? Indianapolis MSA leads on FedEx Ground hub + distribution + LTL concentration. Gary (NW IN, Chicago-MSA) leads on steel + Chicago-metro dynamics. Fort Wayne, South Bend, Elkhart (RV) track near state median.
Is IN a good state for truck drivers? Yes — Crossroads of America delivers consistent freight demand. Indianapolis FedEx Ground hub + Amazon + LTL density make Indianapolis one of the strongest Midwestern freight metros. Cost of living favorable — real purchasing power competitive with higher-nominal states. Elkhart RV transport is a unique Indiana specialty.
How does IN truck driver pay compare to Ohio? IN state median ($60,370) is above OH state median (typically ~$57,750). Both are near or above national. IN's FedEx Ground + six-Interstate convergence gives slight nominal edge; OH's Honda/Ford/Jeep auto + Cincinnati air cargo match on upper tail.
Can I make six figures as a truck driver in Indiana? Yes. Senior LTL linehaul; FedEx Ground senior feeder/linehaul; auto-dedicated (Subaru/Honda/GM/Toyota); specialty tanker with X endorsement; Walmart Private Fleet dedicated; well-run owner-operator on specialty freight.
What are the largest carriers hiring in IN in 2026? FedEx Ground (Indianapolis), Schneider, Werner, Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, Walmart Private Fleet, Target, Home Depot, Amazon, Horizon Transport (RV transport), auto-dedicated carriers serving Subaru/Honda/GM/Toyota. Verify current pay bands via each recruiting portal.
I drive RV transport (Elkhart). What's unique? Elkhart-based RV transport involves driveaway or towaway — driving finished RVs (motor coaches, travel trailers, fifth wheels) from factory to dealer. Unique lifestyle — often one-way dispatches requiring rental car or fly-back. CDL-A typically required for larger combinations; CDL-B for some smaller rigs. Pay per mile plus per-delivery bonuses common.
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 — Indiana."
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_in.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." Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson MSA:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_26900.htm· Fort Wayne MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_23060.htm· South Bend-Mishawaka MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_43780.htm· Elkhart-Goshen MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_21140.htm· All IN MSAs:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm↩↩↩↩
