Truck Driver Salary in Maine (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025).
Maine's trucking economy runs on I-95 north-south from the New Hampshire border up to New Brunswick, Canada. Portland anchors the southern Maine freight cluster; Bangor and the northern counties see significant paper/forest-products, seafood, and Canadian-border freight. Maine's Canadian trade (New Brunswick, Quebec) generates specialty cross-border work.
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — Maine state median: $55,160. Employment: ~8,150.2
- Maine median sits ~$2,280 below the national median — offset by moderate cost of living.
- Top paying metros: Portland-South Portland MSA, Bangor MSA, Lewiston-Auburn MSA.
- Distinguishing features: Canadian border cross-border freight, paper/forest products (declining but present), seafood + blueberry specialty freight, I-95 north-south spine.
Maine Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm.2
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median wage | $55,160 |
| State employment | ~8,150 |
| State vs national median | −$2,280 (−4.0%) |
Top Maine Metros for Truck Drivers
Portland-South Portland MSA
- Port of Portland — container + petroleum + auto imports.
- Distribution hub for northern New England.
- I-95 / I-295 corridor.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_38860.htm.4
Bangor MSA
- Paper + forest products freight.
- Canadian border proximity (Houlton).
- I-95 corridor.
Lewiston-Auburn MSA
- Regional distribution + I-95 corridor.
Major Freight Industries
| Industry | Endorsement fit | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian cross-border freight | TWIC, customs integration | $55–$82k |
| Paper / forest products | None | $52–$75k |
| Seafood + blueberry specialty | Reefer skill | $52–$75k |
| LTL linehaul | T | $70–$92k experienced |
| Fuel tanker | X | $65–$88k |
Major Carriers Hiring in Maine
- Maine-based: Pottle's Transportation, Hartt Transportation (HQ Bangor), various paper-products specialty haulers.
- Mega OTR: Schneider, Werner, CR England.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, FedEx Freight, Estes, A. Duie Pyle (NE regional), Oak Harbor Freight.
- Canadian cross-border: Day & Ross, Bison Transport, various Atlantic Canada specialists.
- Dedicated: Hannaford (ME-based Ahold Delhaize grocery), Walmart Private Fleet.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Maine in 2026? Maine state median is $55,160 per BLS OEWS May 2024, with ~8,150 drivers employed.2 Sits ~$2,280 below national. Experienced LTL or cross-border specialty drivers push $80,000–$92,000+.
How does Canadian cross-border freight affect Maine driver pay? Canadian trade (New Brunswick, Quebec) generates specialty cross-border work at Houlton and other crossings. Customs integration, TWIC (when port-adjacent), and bilingual capability can add to driver value.
What are the largest carriers hiring in Maine in 2026? Hartt Transportation (Bangor), Pottle's Transportation, Schneider, Werner, Old Dominion, Saia, A. Duie Pyle, Hannaford grocery dedicated, Day & Ross (cross-border).
Sources
-
BLS OEWS 53-3032 National. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm ↩
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BLS OEWS Maine State. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.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. Portland ME: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_38860.htm · All ME: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm ↩
