Truck Driver Salary in Kansas (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025).
Kansas's trucking economy centers on the Kansas City metro (I-70 / I-35 convergence, intermodal + distribution), the Wichita aviation corridor (Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, Bombardier Learjet), and the agricultural freight of the central and western plains (wheat, beef, ethanol). The Kansas Turnpike (I-335 / I-470 / I-70) provides the primary east-west corridor. Kansas historically hosted Yellow Corporation / YRC Freight (HQ Overland Park), the major LTL carrier that ceased operations in 2023 — a meaningful shift in the state's trucking employer landscape.
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — Kansas state median: $56,960. Employment: ~22,520.2
- Kansas median sits ~$480 below the national median — essentially at national nominal.
- Top paying metros: Kansas City MSA (KS side), Wichita MSA, Topeka MSA.
- Distinguishing features: KC metro I-70/I-35 convergence + intermodal, Wichita aviation industry dedicated freight, Kansas Turnpike LTL corridor, post-Yellow/YRC LTL landscape shift.
Kansas Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ks.htm.2
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median wage | $56,960 |
| State employment | ~22,520 |
| State vs national median | −$480 (−0.8%) |
How Kansas Compares to the National Median
Kansas's $56,960 median sits essentially at national ($57,440).12 BEA Regional Price Parities place Kansas below national — real purchasing power is strong. State income tax progressive to ~5.7%.3
Top Kansas Metros for Truck Drivers
Kansas City MSA (Kansas side — Wyandotte, Johnson counties)
- I-70 / I-35 / I-435 convergence — major interstate junction.
- Kansas Speedway + Legends Outlets + Village West — distribution cluster.
- BNSF and UP intermodal ramps in KC.
- Post-Yellow/YRC LTL landscape has redistributed to Old Dominion, Saia, FedEx Freight Overland Park operations.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_28140.htm.4
Wichita MSA
- Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation (Cessna/Beechcraft), Bombardier Learjet — aviation manufacturing dedicated freight.
- Koch Industries HQ — diversified freight.
- I-35 / I-135 corridor.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_48620.htm.4
Topeka MSA
- State capital + distribution.
- Goodyear / Frito-Lay manufacturing.
- I-70 corridor.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_45820.htm.4
Major Freight Industries Driving Kansas Pay
| Industry | Endorsement fit | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| KC intermodal + distribution | None | $58–$82k |
| Wichita aviation dedicated | None | $60–$85k |
| LTL linehaul (post-Yellow landscape) | T | $75–$100k experienced |
| Agricultural bulk (wheat, cattle, ethanol) | N for liquids | $55–$80k |
| Fuel / chemical tanker | X | $68–$95k |
Major Carriers Hiring in Kansas
- LTL (post-Yellow landscape): Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, FedEx Freight, Estes, ABF Freight. Yellow's 2023 collapse redistributed former YRC freight volume across the surviving LTL majors.
- Mega OTR: Schneider, Werner, Knight-Swift, CR England, Prime, Heartland.
- Kansas-based / regional: Watkins Logistics (HQ Lenexa), Transport Enterprise Leasing.
- Aviation dedicated: Spirit AeroSystems contractors, Textron Aviation dedicated, Bombardier Learjet dedicated.
- Agricultural: various specialty grain + cattle haulers.
- Dedicated: Walmart Private Fleet, Sysco, Hostess (Lenexa).
- Tanker: Kenan Advantage, Groendyke, Trimac.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $58–$80k.
- Regional (KS/MO/NE/OK): $62–$85k.
- Local: $48–$78k.
- Dedicated: $58–$88k; aviation dedicated and Walmart PF at upper end.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Kansas in 2026? Kansas state median is $56,960 per BLS OEWS May 2024, with ~22,520 drivers employed.2 State sits essentially at national median of $57,440. Experienced LTL and specialty tanker drivers push $80,000–$100,000+.
What happened to Yellow / YRC Freight? Yellow Corporation (parent of YRC Freight, Holland, Reddaway, New Penn) ceased operations in mid-2023. The company's HQ was in Overland Park, Kansas. Former YRC drivers have largely moved to Old Dominion, Saia, ABF, FedEx Freight, and Estes. Kansas's LTL landscape has reorganized but not diminished — the freight volume moved to surviving carriers.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Kansas? Senior LTL linehaul with OT (Old Dominion, Saia, ABF Teamster), specialty X-endorsed tanker, or aviation-dedicated freight at Spirit AeroSystems / Textron. $80,000–$100,000+ achievable.
How does Kansas compare to Missouri for truck drivers? Missouri median ($54,780) is below Kansas ($56,960). Kansas City metro crosses both state lines — drivers on the Kansas side earn Kansas wages, those on the Missouri side earn Missouri wages. Choose based on residential preference since freight overlaps.
What are the largest carriers hiring in Kansas in 2026? Old Dominion, Saia, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, Schneider, Werner, Walmart Private Fleet, Spirit AeroSystems dedicated, Kenan Advantage.
Sources
-
BLS OEWS 53-3032 National. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm ↩
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BLS OEWS Kansas State. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ks.htm ↩↩↩↩
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BEA Regional Price Parities. https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area ↩
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BLS OEWS MSAs. Kansas City: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_28140.htm · Wichita: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_48620.htm · Topeka: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_45820.htm · All KS: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm ↩↩↩
