Truck Driver Salary in Maryland (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release, Maryland Department of Labor data, and carrier-published pay bands.
Maryland's freight economy runs through two major demand generators: the Port of Baltimore (container + automotive + bulk — recovered operations post the 2024 Key Bridge collapse) and the Washington DC metro distribution network (federal + commercial). I-95 through Maryland is one of the highest-traffic commercial freight corridors in the country, and I-70 / I-68 connect Baltimore westward to Pittsburgh. This guide extracts BLS OEWS for Maryland against the national $57,440 median for SOC 53-3032 (May 2024).1
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — MD median annual wage: $56,710.3 That's $730 below national — roughly 1.3% below national.1
- MD state employment: ~24,910 heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.3
- Top paying MD metros: Baltimore–Columbia–Towson MSA (port + distribution); Washington-DC Metro MD counties (DC-area federal + commercial).
- Dominant freight segments: Port of Baltimore (container + automotive + bulk); DC-metro distribution (federal + retail + e-commerce); I-95 LTL linehaul; pharma/biotech (Gaithersburg/Rockville); federal agency dedicated.
- Pay premium endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T). TWIC for Port of Baltimore terminal access.
- Cross-reference: Maryland CDL Requirements guide.
MD Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
BLS OEWS state data for SOC 53-3032 in MD, May 2024 reference period. Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_md.htm.3
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median (50th percentile) | $56,710 | BLS OEWS state cell, May 2024.3 |
| Annual mean wage | ~$58,000–$60,500 | Mean above median. |
| Annual 10th percentile | ~$38,500–$40,500 | Entry-level; MD cost of living sets higher floor. |
| Annual 25th percentile | ~$46,500–$49,000 | |
| Annual 75th percentile | ~$68,500–$73,000 | Experienced drayage, LTL, DC dedicated. |
| Annual 90th percentile | ~$83,000–$89,500 | LTL linehaul seniority, port specialty, federal dedicated. |
| State employment | ~24,910 | 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 MD Compares to National
MD's $56,710 state median runs $730 below national — essentially at national.13 BEA RPP shows Maryland slightly above national, driven largely by DC-metro counties.4 Real purchasing power tracks near national median; DC-metro residents face higher cost offset.
Metro variation: - Above state median: DC-Metro MD counties (Montgomery, Prince George's); Baltimore MSA Port-adjacent areas. - Near state median: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA. - Below state median: Eastern Shore, Western MD rural.
Top MD Metros for Truck Drivers
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson MSA
Port + distribution hub: - Port of Baltimore — container + automotive imports (top-tier auto import port) + bulk cargo. Operations resumed after March 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse; drayage demand remains strong. - Under Armour, T. Rowe Price logistics. - I-95 / I-695 / I-83 / I-70 convergence. - Dundalk Marine Terminal, Seagirt Marine Terminal container + auto.
Baltimore MSA OEWS posts near state mean. Current MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12580.htm.5
Washington DC Metro (Maryland counties — Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick)
DC-adjacent distribution: - Federal agency distribution — NIH Bethesda, NSA Fort Meade, various federal depots. - Pharma / biotech — Gaithersburg/Rockville corridor (AstraZeneca, Novartis, GSK). - Amazon, UPS, FedEx major DCs. - Dulles-adjacent for air cargo ground-transport.
DC-metro MD counties post above state mean. Current DC MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_47900.htm.5
Hagerstown (Cumberland-adjacent)
I-70 / I-81 corridor — Hagerstown is a secondary distribution hub on the north-central Maryland section. Amazon + FedEx Ground DC operations. Tracks near state median.5
Eastern Shore (Salisbury)
Agricultural + poultry hub + Ocean City tourism seasonal. Tracks below state median.5
Major Freight Industries Driving MD Pay
| Industry | Freight footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Baltimore (container + auto + bulk) | Dundalk + Seagirt + auto terminals | H for hazmat; TWIC for secure-area access | Drayage $65–$88k; auto-carrier specialty $72–$95k. |
| DC-metro federal distribution | Montgomery / PG County + DC proper | Federal clearance for some freight | $68–$92k experienced dedicated. |
| Pharma / biotech (Gaithersburg/Rockville) | Central MD pharma corridor | Cold-chain training | $68–$92k experienced dedicated. |
| LTL linehaul I-95 | Statewide (ODFL, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight) | T highly valuable | Senior $82–$105k+. |
| Amazon / e-commerce | Multiple MD DCs | None required | $62–$85k experienced. |
| Tanker / petroleum | Statewide fuel distribution | N+H | $70–$95k experienced. |
| Poultry / agricultural (Eastern Shore) | Delmarva poultry + produce | None required | Seasonal $55–$78k. |
Major Carriers Hiring in MD
- Port of Baltimore drayage: Multiple regional operators; Schneider, Werner, JB Hunt, Hub Group with port operations.
- Auto-carrier: Jack Cooper, Cassens Transport — serving Port of Baltimore auto imports.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO Logistics, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, Estes Express, R+L Carriers, Averitt.
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Covenant, Heartland.
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Target, Home Depot, Costco, Amazon (multiple MD DCs), Giant Food (regional), Safeway.
- Federal / pharma dedicated: Various specialty carriers serving DC-metro pharma corridor and federal agencies.
- Poultry specialty (Eastern Shore): Perdue Farms distribution, Mountaire Farms.
- Tanker / petroleum: Kenan Advantage Group, local fuel distributors.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $62–$84k. I-95 + I-70 origin loads.
- Regional (MD + VA/PA/DE/DC/NJ): $65–$88k.
- Local / home-daily: $54–$85k; Port of Baltimore drayage $65–$88k.
- Dedicated: $68–$95k; pharma dedicated and federal dedicated at upper end.
- LTL linehaul (I-95 corridor): $82–$105k+ senior.
- Auto-carrier (Port of Baltimore import): $72–$95k experienced.
- Owner-operator: variable $70–$140k net; DC-metro tolling + fuel costs significant.
Use CPM → Annual Salary calculator + Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
MD CDL and Licensing
Maryland CDL Requirements guide. Maryland MVA (MDOT); $106 CLP includes skills test (MD-unique bundling); $64 CDL; $48 renewal; 8-year validity; $110.50 hazmat background check effective 2026-01-03; hazmat ELDT required before CLP application (MD-specific sequence).
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Maryland in 2026? MD state median for SOC 53-3032 is $56,710 per BLS OEWS May 20243 — approximately 1.3% below national $57,440.1 Experienced drivers on specialty freight (senior LTL, Port drayage, pharma/federal dedicated) push into $82–$105k. Entry-level drivers earn $40–$48k year one.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Maryland? Senior LTL linehaul on I-95 corridor at ODFL/Saia/XPO/ABF/FedEx Freight with T endorsement — experienced drivers exceed $85–$105k. Port of Baltimore auto-carrier specialty, pharma/biotech cold-chain dedicated, federal dedicated, and specialty tanker (X-endorsed) can match.
Where in MD do truck drivers get paid the most? DC-metro MD counties (Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick) lead on federal + pharma premium. Baltimore MSA port-adjacent areas lead on drayage and auto-carrier specialty. Eastern Shore and Western MD track below.
Is MD a good state for truck drivers? Yes — Port of Baltimore auto import volume is one of the largest in the country; DC-metro federal and pharma demand is stable and specialty-premium. Cost of living in DC-metro is real offset. Maryland's position on I-95 corridor makes LTL linehaul strong.
How does MD truck driver pay compare to Virginia? MD state median ($56,710) slightly above VA state median ($56,170). Both near national. MD's Port of Baltimore auto + DC-metro pharma + federal gives upper-tail edge; VA's Port of Virginia + NoVA data centers + Estes HQ match on different dimensions.
Can I make six figures as a truck driver in Maryland? Yes. Senior LTL linehaul I-95; Port of Baltimore auto-carrier specialty; pharma/biotech cold-chain dedicated; federal dedicated; specialty tanker with X endorsement; Walmart Private Fleet dedicated.
What are the largest carriers hiring in MD in 2026? Based on public recruiting: Schneider, Werner, Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Walmart Private Fleet, Amazon, Giant Food, Safeway, Hub Group Port of Baltimore drayage, Jack Cooper auto-carrier, Perdue Farms distribution (Eastern Shore). Verify current pay bands via each recruiting portal.
Port of Baltimore auto-carrier — what's unique? Baltimore is a top-tier US auto import port — BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi, many others offload at the port. Auto-carrier drivers specialize in finished-vehicle transport from port to dealer distribution. Specialty training on vehicle transport trailers + often oversize permits. Pay premium for specialty experience.
What happened at Port of Baltimore post-bridge? The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed March 26, 2024, temporarily affecting operations. The port has resumed normal operations while bridge rebuild continues. Drayage volume has returned; check current routing as some lanes have changed.
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 — Maryland."
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_md.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." Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_12580.htm· Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_47900.htm· Hagerstown-Martinsburg MD-WV MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_25180.htm· Salisbury MD-DE MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_41540.htm· All MD MSAs:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm↩↩↩↩
