Truck Driver Salary in New Jersey (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release, NJ Department of Labor market data, and carrier-published pay bands as of this date.
New Jersey is one of the highest-paying trucking states in the country, driven by Port Newark-Elizabeth (one of the largest container ports on the East Coast), the NJ Turnpike / I-95 megacorridor between NYC and Philadelphia, and dense pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing. NJ state median pay runs meaningfully above national. This guide extracts the 2026-verified BLS OEWS data for NJ against the national $57,440 median annual wage for SOC 53-3032 as of May 2024.1
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — NJ median annual wage: $61,770.3 That's $4,330 above national — roughly 7.5% above national.1
- NJ state employment: ~50,920 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.3
- Top paying NJ metros: Newark/Elizabeth-adjacent counties (Port Newark premium), NYC-metro NJ counties (NYC-adjacent distribution), South Jersey Philadelphia-metro counties.
- Dominant freight segments: Port Newark-Elizabeth drayage; NYC / Philly metro distribution; pharmaceutical and specialty chemical (Merck, J&J, Bristol-Myers, BASF, etc.); LTL linehaul (I-95 corridor); food and beverage (regional production + NYC metro distribution).
- Pay premium endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T). TWIC credential essential for Port Newark secure-area access.
- Cross-reference: New Jersey CDL Requirements guide.
NJ Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
BLS OEWS state data for SOC 53-3032 in NJ, May 2024 reference period. Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nj.htm.3
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median (50th percentile) | $61,770 | BLS OEWS state cell, May 2024.3 |
| Annual mean wage | ~$63,500–$66,000 | Mean tracks above median; port + LTL + pharma upper-tail. |
| Annual 10th percentile | ~$41,000–$43,500 | Entry-level; high cost-of-living floor. |
| Annual 25th percentile | ~$49,500–$52,500 | |
| Annual 75th percentile | ~$74,000–$79,500 | Experienced drayage, LTL, pharma dedicated. |
| Annual 90th percentile | ~$89,000–$97,000 | Port senior, LTL linehaul seniority, specialty tanker. |
| State employment | ~50,920 | Per BLS state OEWS.3 |
National percentile reference: p10 $37,930 · p25 $46,120 · p50 $57,440 · p75 $71,990 · p90 $81,710.1 NJ upper-tail meaningfully exceeds national p90.
How NJ Compares to National
NJ's $61,770 state median runs $4,330 above the $57,440 national median.13 Port Newark-Elizabeth drayage concentration, NYC-metro distribution density, and pharma/chemical dedicated create strong nominal pay.
However, BEA Regional Price Parities show New Jersey above the national index — one of the highest-cost states for living.4 Real purchasing power on NJ median pay is closer to national median pay after RPP adjustment. Nominal dollar advantage is real; cost-of-living offset is significant.
Metro variation: - Above state median: NYC-adjacent Bergen/Hudson/Essex counties; Port Newark-Elizabeth (Essex/Union); Mercer County (Princeton pharma). - Near state median: Middlesex, Somerset, Camden (Philly-metro). - Below state median: South Jersey rural counties (Cumberland, Atlantic rural).
Top NJ Metros for Truck Drivers
Newark / Elizabeth (Essex + Union Counties — NYC MSA)
Port Newark-Elizabeth — part of the Port of New York and New Jersey complex, one of the largest East Coast container ports. - Drayage concentrated in Newark-Elizabeth-Bayonne. Container pick-up/drop-off, port-to-warehouse, OTR outbound. - NJ Turnpike / I-95 spine. Newark sits at the most congested section of I-95 in the Northeast. - Pharma / specialty chemical (Kenilworth Merck, Summit/Newark-area biotech).
Newark metro OEWS posts well above NJ state mean. Current NYC MSA metro estimates (includes Newark): https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_35620.htm.5
NYC Metro NJ Counties (Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, Somerset)
Dense distribution serving NYC metro retailers. Significant e-commerce DC footprint; tolling structure on NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway is a real cost factor.5
Philadelphia Metro NJ (Camden, Burlington, Gloucester)
South Jersey tied to Philadelphia MSA distribution. Some pharma / specialty chemical (Camden chemical corridor historically).5
Mercer County (Trenton-Princeton)
Pharma concentration (Bristol-Myers Squibb, J&J research, many biotech startups). Dedicated pharma carrier demand.5
Major Freight Industries Driving NJ Pay
| Industry | Freight footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Newark-Elizabeth drayage | Essex/Union county terminals | H for hazmat; TWIC for terminal access | $70–$95k experienced drayage. |
| NYC metro distribution | Northern NJ retailer + food DCs | None required | $68–$92k experienced. |
| Pharma / specialty chemical | Central/Northern NJ research corridor | H + N / X for chemical | $72–$100k experienced. |
| LTL linehaul | I-95 corridor (ODFL, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight) | T highly valuable | Senior $85–$110k+. |
| Food / beverage dedicated | Regional production + NYC distribution | None required | $65–$90k experienced. |
| Tanker / petroleum | Northern NJ fuel distribution | N+H / X | $75–$105k experienced. |
Major Carriers Hiring in NJ
- Port Newark drayage: Multiple regional drayage operators; National/OTR carriers with Port Newark operations: Schneider, Werner, JB Hunt, Landstar, Hub Group.
- LTL (major NJ terminals): Old Dominion, Saia, XPO Logistics, Estes Express, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, R+L Carriers, TForce.
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Covenant, Heartland.
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet (multiple NJ DCs), Target, Home Depot, Costco, Amazon, ShopRite (Wakefern — NJ-based), Stop & Shop.
- Pharma dedicated: Various carriers serving NJ pharma corridor.
- Tanker / petroleum: Kenan Advantage Group, local fuel distributors.
- NJ-HQ: Wakefern Food (Keasbey NJ, major private fleet), Saker ShopRites.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $65–$85k. Northeast corridor tolling reduces effective net for OTR.
- Regional (NJ + NY/PA/CT/MD/DE): $70–$92k.
- Local / home-daily: $58–$88k; port drayage $72–$95k effective.
- Dedicated: $70–$100k.
- LTL linehaul (I-95 corridor): $85–$110k+ senior.
- Pharma dedicated: $75–$100k.
- Owner-operator: highly variable $75–$155k net; NJ Turnpike/Garden State Parkway tolling + insurance costs impact owner-op economics significantly.
Use CPM → Annual Salary calculator + Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
NJ CDL and Licensing
New Jersey CDL Requirements guide. NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC); $42 CDL (4-year) + $2 per endorsement + $125 CLP examination test receipt; 4-year cycle; in-person renewal; 6-Point ID requirement; S-1/S-2 state school bus endorsements.
For Port Newark drayage: TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) from TSA is commonly required by terminal operators for unescorted port access.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in New Jersey in 2026? The NJ state median annual wage for SOC 53-3032 is $61,770 per BLS OEWS May 20243 — approximately 7.5% above the national $57,440 median.1 Experienced drivers on specialty freight (Port Newark drayage, senior LTL linehaul, pharma dedicated, chemical tanker) commonly push into the $90–$110k range. Entry-level drivers earn $44–$52k year one — NJ cost of living sets a higher entry floor.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in New Jersey? Senior LTL linehaul on the I-95 corridor at Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight is commonly the highest-paying conventional CDL-A lane in NJ with seniority and T endorsement — experienced drivers exceed $90–$110k. Port Newark drayage seniors, pharma/chemical specialty tanker (X-endorsed), and top-tier Walmart Private Fleet dedicated match this.
Where in NJ do truck drivers get paid the most? Essex/Union counties (Port Newark-Elizabeth area) lead by drayage premium. Bergen/Hudson/Middlesex counties (NYC-adjacent distribution) track above state mean. Mercer County (Princeton pharma corridor) has specialty dedicated premium. South Jersey closer to Philadelphia trends closer to state median.
Is NJ a good state for truck drivers? Nominally, yes — NJ has one of the highest state median pay levels in the country. Practically, cost of living, tolling on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, fuel costs, and commercial insurance premiums offset a significant portion of nominal pay advantage. Port Newark drayage is one of the most consistent specialty markets in the country; LTL linehaul I-95 corridor is among the strongest LTL markets nationally.
How does NJ truck driver pay compare to New York? NJ state median ($61,770) and NY state median ($61,600 per BLS OEWS May 2024) are essentially tied — both lead the Northeast. NY has NYC-specific cost premium; NJ has NJ Turnpike tolling. Upper tail (senior LTL and specialty) is comparable; real purchasing power varies by specific residence.
Can I make six figures as a truck driver in New Jersey? Yes — more readily than in many states. Common paths: senior LTL linehaul at I-95-corridor majors (ODFL, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight); specialty tanker with X endorsement on pharma/chemical runs; Port Newark drayage with TWIC for top-tier terminal operators; Walmart Private Fleet dedicated or pharma specialty dedicated.
What are the largest carriers hiring in NJ in 2026? Based on public recruiting: Old Dominion (major NJ terminal), Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Schneider, Werner, Walmart Private Fleet, Wakefern (Keasbey NJ HQ), Kenan Advantage (tanker), Hub Group Port Newark drayage. Verify current pay bands via each recruiting portal.
I drive Port Newark drayage. What additional credentials? TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) from TSA is commonly required by terminal operators for unescorted port access. Hazmat endorsement (H) for placarded containers. Class A CDL baseline.
NJ Turnpike tolling — how does this impact OTR owner-ops? NJ Turnpike commercial tolls are among the highest in the country per mile. Garden State Parkway has separate tolling. For NJ-based owner-ops, toll costs are a major expense line — model carefully in the Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
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 — New Jersey."
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nj.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 Metropolitan Area Estimates." New York-Newark-Jersey City MSA:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_35620.htm· Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_37980.htm· Trenton-Princeton MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_45940.htm· All NJ MSAs:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm↩↩↩↩
