Truck Driver Salary in Louisiana (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release, Louisiana Workforce Commission data, and carrier-published pay bands.
Louisiana's freight economy is anchored by the Port of New Orleans (top U.S. container port by throughput via the Mississippi River complex) and the petrochemical corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans — one of the densest concentrations of chemical manufacturing and refineries in the country. Add I-10 Gulf Coast east-west corridor, offshore oil/gas support, and agricultural (sugar cane, cotton, rice, seafood) hauling. LA state median pay runs below national, but petrochemical tanker and Port drayage offer strong upper tail. This guide extracts BLS OEWS for Louisiana against the national $57,440 median for SOC 53-3032 (May 2024).1
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — LA median annual wage: $54,620.3 That's $2,820 below national — roughly 4.9% below national.1
- LA state employment: ~23,110 heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.3
- Top paying LA metros: New Orleans–Metairie MSA (Port of NOLA + petrochemical); Baton Rouge MSA (petrochemical + state capital).
- Dominant freight segments: Port of New Orleans + Port of South Louisiana drayage; petrochemical and chemical tanker (Baton Rouge-NOLA corridor); offshore oil/gas support; I-10 Gulf Coast; I-20 / I-49 corridors; agricultural (sugar cane, rice, cotton, seafood).
- Pay premium endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Combined H+N (X), Doubles/Triples (T). X especially valuable for petrochemical.
- Cross-reference: Louisiana CDL Requirements guide.
LA Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
BLS OEWS state data for SOC 53-3032 in LA, May 2024 reference period. Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_la.htm.3
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median (50th percentile) | $54,620 | BLS OEWS state cell, May 2024.3 |
| Annual mean wage | ~$56,000–$58,500 | Mean above median; petrochemical tanker + LTL upper-tail. |
| Annual 10th percentile | ~$36,500–$38,500 | Entry-level. |
| Annual 25th percentile | ~$44,500–$47,000 | |
| Annual 75th percentile | ~$66,500–$71,000 | Experienced tanker, LTL, port drayage. |
| Annual 90th percentile | ~$82,000–$89,500 | Petrochemical X-endorsed senior, LTL linehaul, oilfield specialty. |
| State employment | ~23,110 | Per BLS state OEWS.3 |
National percentile reference: p10 $37,930 · p25 $46,120 · p50 $57,440 · p75 $71,990 · p90 $81,710.1 LA upper tail (petrochemical X-endorsed) meaningfully exceeds national p90.
How LA Compares to National
LA's $54,620 state median runs $2,820 below national.13 The state's petrochemical corridor (X-endorsed tanker) is among the highest-paying common CDL-A markets in the country — upper-tail LA drivers on bulk chemical/petroleum tanker exceed $100k.
BEA RPP shows Louisiana below national — strong real purchasing power on LA median pay.4
Metro variation: - Above state median: New Orleans-Metairie MSA, Baton Rouge MSA. - Near state median: Lafayette, Lake Charles (petrochemical-adjacent). - Below state median: Rural LA, Shreveport-Bossier.
Top LA Metros for Truck Drivers
New Orleans (New Orleans–Metairie MSA)
Port + petrochemical: - Port of New Orleans + Port of South Louisiana (Laplace–St. Rose area — top US container port by throughput via Mississippi River). - Petrochemical corridor between Baton Rouge and NOLA — refineries, chemical plants, specialty tanker demand. - Mississippi River inland port — bulk commodities, grain export (Port of South Louisiana is #1 US grain export port). - I-10 / I-55 / I-59 / I-12 corridors.
NOLA MSA OEWS posts above LA state mean. Current MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_35380.htm.5
Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge MSA)
Petrochemical + state capital: - Petrochemical cluster — ExxonMobil, Shell, Syngenta, multiple major chemical plants. - ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery — one of largest US refineries. - I-10 / I-12 / I-110 corridor + Port of Greater Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge MSA above state median. Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm.5
Lake Charles MSA
Petrochemical + LNG export + Port of Lake Charles. Significant petrochemical/LNG project freight. Tracks near state median.5
Lafayette MSA
Offshore oil/gas support + oilfield services center. Cyclical with oil prices; specialty oilfield work.5
Shreveport-Bossier MSA
Northwest LA — I-20 / I-49 corridor + military (Barksdale AFB). Tracks below state median.5
Major Freight Industries Driving LA Pay
| Industry | Freight footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrochemical tanker (Baton Rouge-NOLA corridor) | Chemical plants + refineries | X (H+N) essential | X-endorsed $75–$105k+ senior. Highest-paying common CDL-A lane. |
| Port of NOLA + Port of SLA drayage | Mississippi River container terminals | H for hazmat; TWIC for terminal | Drayage $62–$85k experienced. |
| Offshore oil/gas support (Lafayette) | Oilfield services | N+H | Cyclical; $65–$95k when oil elevated. |
| LTL linehaul | Statewide (ODFL, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Southeastern Freight Lines) | T valuable | Senior $78–$100k+. |
| Grain export (Port of South Louisiana) | Mississippi River elevators | None required; bulk specialty | $58–$80k seasonal peak. |
| LNG export (Lake Charles) | Sabine Pass + Cameron LNG | Specialty | $68–$92k. |
| Sugar cane / rice / cotton / seafood | Rural LA seasonal | None required | $55–$75k. |
| Tanker / petroleum | Statewide fuel distribution | N+H | $72–$100k experienced. |
Major Carriers Hiring in LA
- Petrochemical tanker specialists: Kenan Advantage Group, Groendyke Transport, Trimac Transportation, RKA Petroleum, Quality Distribution — all major in petrochemical tanker operations in the Baton Rouge-NOLA corridor.
- Port of NOLA drayage: Multiple regional operators; OTR carriers with Mississippi River port operations.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO Logistics, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, Estes Express, R+L Carriers, Southeastern Freight Lines, Averitt.
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Covenant, Heartland.
- Offshore oil/gas: Multiple Lafayette-area oilfield service operators.
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Amazon, Rouses Markets (regional grocery).
- Agricultural specialty: Sugar cane and grain haul operators.
- LA-HQ specialty: Multiple Lafayette-area oilfield services operators, Baton Rouge petrochemical-specific carriers.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $58–$78k.
- Regional (LA + TX/AR/MS/AL): $62–$82k.
- Local / home-daily: $50–$78k; Port of NOLA drayage $62–$85k; petrochemical local $75–$105k+.
- Dedicated: $62–$88k.
- Petrochemical X-endorsed senior: $85–$105k+ — Louisiana's premium lane.
- LTL linehaul: $78–$100k+ senior.
- Offshore oil/gas (cyclical): $65–$95k when oil prices elevated.
- Owner-operator: variable $62–$140k net.
Use CPM → Annual Salary calculator + Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
LA CDL and Licensing
Louisiana CDL Requirements guide. Louisiana OMV (Office of Motor Vehicles); $61.50 CDL standard parishes / $76.50 Orleans Parish (parish-based differential); $15 CLP cash-only; $100 third-party skills test; 10-year driving record required; non-domiciled CDLs ceased 2025-09-29.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Louisiana in 2026? LA state median for SOC 53-3032 is $54,620 per BLS OEWS May 20243 — approximately 4.9% below national $57,440.1 Experienced drivers on specialty freight (X-endorsed petrochemical tanker, senior LTL linehaul, Port drayage) push into $85–$105k+ range. Entry-level drivers earn $38–$46k year one.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Louisiana? Bulk petrochemical tanker (X-endorsed — Hazmat + Tanker combination) in the Baton Rouge-NOLA chemical corridor is commonly the highest-paying common CDL-A lane not just in Louisiana but in the country — experienced X-endorsed drivers exceed $85–$105k+. Senior LTL linehaul with T endorsement matches in some roles.
Where in LA do truck drivers get paid the most? New Orleans-Metairie MSA leads on Port of NOLA + petrochemical corridor + LTL concentration. Baton Rouge MSA leads on petrochemical + ExxonMobil + chemical plants. Lake Charles on LNG/petrochemical. Lafayette on offshore oil/gas (cyclical). Rural LA below.
Is LA a good state for truck drivers? For petrochemical specialty drivers, yes — among the best in the country. The Baton Rouge-NOLA corridor has one of the densest chemical/refinery concentrations nationally, and X-endorsed tanker drivers command exceptional pay. For general OTR, LA is moderate. Hurricane-season operation is a real factor. Cost of living favorable.
How does LA truck driver pay compare to Texas? LA state median ($54,620) is below TX state median (typically $55,800). Both below national. TX has Gulf Coast petrochemical parallel; LA's petrochemical corridor is more concentrated per mile between Baton Rouge and NOLA. X-endorsed tanker pay is comparable in both states' chemical corridors.
Can I make six figures as a truck driver in Louisiana? Yes, and more readily than many states — via petrochemical X-endorsed tanker work in the Baton Rouge-NOLA corridor. Additional paths: senior LTL linehaul; offshore oil/gas support (when oil prices elevated); specialty Port of NOLA drayage; well-run owner-operator on specialty freight.
What are the largest carriers hiring in LA in 2026? Based on public recruiting: Kenan Advantage Group (petrochemical tanker major), Groendyke Transport, Trimac Transportation, Quality Distribution (petrochemical), Schneider, Werner, Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Walmart Private Fleet. Verify current pay bands via each recruiting portal.
Petrochemical tanker — what's involved? X endorsement (Hazmat + Tanker combined) essential. Carrier-specific training on specialty tank trailers, chemical handling, placarding, emergency response. Pay premium among the highest in CDL-A. TWIC may be required for specific refinery/plant access. Clearinghouse discipline especially important given hazmat regulatory scrutiny.
Hurricane season — how does it affect CDL operations? Louisiana hurricane season (June-November) creates weather-related delays, potential road closures, and evacuation-related freight surges. Louisiana DOTD + LSP monitor conditions. Experienced LA drivers factor hurricane season into planning.
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 — Louisiana."
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_la.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." New Orleans-Metairie MSA:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_35380.htm· Baton Rouge MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12940.htm· Lake Charles MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_29340.htm· Lafayette LA MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_29180.htm· Shreveport-Bossier MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_43340.htm· All LA MSAs:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm↩↩↩↩↩
