Truck Driver Salary in North Carolina (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release, NC Department of Commerce labor market data, and carrier-published pay bands as of this date.
North Carolina sits on the Atlanta-to-Northeast freight spine with Charlotte as a major banking/logistics hub, the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) driving pharma and tech freight, and I-85 / I-40 / I-95 / I-77 creating high interstate density. Nominal NC median pay runs below the national figure, but strong dedicated and LTL carrier networks deliver solid effective pay for experienced drivers. This guide extracts the 2026-verified BLS OEWS data for North Carolina 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 — NC median annual wage: $54,150.3 That's $3,290 below the national $57,440 median — roughly 5.7% below national.1
- NC state employment: ~54,470 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.3
- Top paying NC metros: Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia MSA (banking/logistics); Raleigh–Cary MSA (pharma/tech).
- Dominant freight segments: Charlotte regional distribution + banking logistics; Research Triangle pharma/biotech/tech dedicated; Port of Wilmington drayage; furniture (High Point region); agriculture (tobacco, hogs, poultry, soybeans); forest products.
- Pay premium endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T) for Charlotte-area LTL linehaul.
- Cross-reference: North Carolina CDL Requirements guide.
NC Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
BLS publishes OEWS at state and MSA level. The table reflects the May 2024 reference period for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers (SOC 53-3032) in North Carolina. Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nc.htm.3
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median (50th percentile) | $54,150 | BLS OEWS state cell, May 2024.3 |
| Annual mean wage | ~$55,500–$57,500 | Mean tracks above median; upper-tail LTL and pharma dedicated contribute. |
| Annual 10th percentile | ~$35,500–$37,500 | Entry-level. |
| Annual 25th percentile | ~$43,500–$45,500 | |
| Annual 75th percentile | ~$65,000–$69,500 | Experienced dedicated, LTL linehaul. |
| Annual 90th percentile | ~$78,000–$84,000 | LTL linehaul seniority, specialty tanker. |
| State employment | ~54,470 | Per BLS state OEWS.3 |
National percentile reference for cross-state context: p10 $37,930 · p25 $46,120 · p50 $57,440 · p75 $71,990 · p90 $81,710.1
How NC Compares to National
NC's $54,150 state median runs $3,290 below national median.13 Cost-of-living context is favorable — BEA RPP shows North Carolina below the national index.4 Real purchasing power on NC median pay is competitive once cost of living is adjusted.
Metro variation: - Above state median: Charlotte MSA; Raleigh-Cary MSA; Durham-Chapel Hill MSA. - Near state median: Greensboro-High Point, Winston-Salem, Asheville. - Below state median: Rural eastern NC, rural western NC; Fayetteville; smaller metros.
Top NC Metros for Truck Drivers
Charlotte (Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia MSA)
Banking capital of the Southeast + major distribution hub: - Banking (Bank of America HQ, Wells Fargo major presence) + commercial services. - Amazon, FedEx, UPS, Walmart distribution centers. - I-77 + I-85 intersection, major LTL carrier terminals (Old Dominion — HQ in Thomasville NC nearby, Saia, XPO, ABF, Estes). - Auto-carrier (Honda Aircraft Greensboro-area, BMW Spartanburg SC adjacency serves NC).
Charlotte MSA OEWS typically posts above NC state mean. Current metro data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_16740.htm.5
Raleigh (Raleigh–Cary MSA)
Research Triangle Park anchor: - Pharma (GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen regional, IQVIA), biotech, medical devices. - Tech (IBM, Cisco, Red Hat, SAS). - Dedicated carrier demand for pharma + tech distribution.
Raleigh MSA wages post above state median. Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_39580.htm.5
Durham–Chapel Hill (Durham-Chapel Hill MSA)
Pharma + biotech research anchor (Duke University-adjacent; UNC-Chapel Hill healthcare). Smaller metro; dedicated pharma freight.5
Greensboro–High Point (Greensboro-High Point MSA)
Furniture manufacturing historical + tire manufacturing. Lower-density metro; tracks near or slightly below state median.5
Wilmington (Wilmington MSA)
Port of Wilmington (container + bulk) + coastal freight. Wages track near state median; drayage work offers specialty premium.5
Winston-Salem, Asheville, Fayetteville
Smaller metros. Winston-Salem with historical tobacco industry + banking. Asheville tourism/seasonal. Fayetteville military-adjacent (Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg).5
Major Freight Industries Driving NC Pay
| Industry | Freight footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTL linehaul | Statewide (ODFL HQ Thomasville NC, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Estes) | T highly valuable | Senior $80–$100k+ with seniority. |
| Charlotte distribution / dedicated | Metro retailer + banking logistics + Amazon DCs | None required | $65–$90k experienced. |
| Research Triangle pharma / biotech | Raleigh/Durham pharma dedicated | None required | Specialty dedicated; $65–$88k. |
| Port of Wilmington drayage | Wilmington port-adjacent | H for hazmat; TWIC possible | Drayage $55–$78k. |
| Tanker / petroleum | Statewide fuel distribution | N+H | $68–$95k experienced. |
| Agricultural / poultry / hogs | Eastern NC | None required | Seasonal/year-round; $52–$72k. |
| Furniture / forest products | Piedmont (High Point area) | None required | Flatbed; $55–$75k. |
Major Carriers Hiring in NC
- LTL: Old Dominion Freight Line (HQ Thomasville NC — major NC employer), Saia, XPO Logistics, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, Estes Express, R+L Carriers, Averitt Express, Southeastern Freight Lines.
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Covenant, Heartland, Knight-Swift.
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's (HQ Mooresville NC — major NC employer), Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Costco, Amazon, FedEx Ground.
- Pharma dedicated: Various carriers serving Research Triangle pharma/biotech.
- Auto-haul: Jack Cooper, Cassens Transport.
- Tanker / petroleum: Kenan Advantage Group, Groendyke Transport, regional fuel distributors.
- NC-HQ specialty: Old Dominion Freight Line (HQ Thomasville), Lowe's transportation (HQ Mooresville), Epes Transport System (major NC carrier).
Verify current NC openings at each carrier's recruiting site.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $60–$80k.
- Regional (NC + SC/VA/TN/GA): $64–$86k.
- Local / home-daily: $48–$78k.
- Dedicated: $62–$90k.
- LTL linehaul (ODFL Thomasville HQ drivers, etc.): $75–$100k+ with seniority.
- Owner-operator: $65–$135k net variable.
Use the CPM → Annual Salary calculator and Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
NC CDL and Licensing
North Carolina CDL Requirements guide. NCDMV (division of NCDOT); $43.25 CLP, ~$150.75 total government; 5-year in-person-only renewal; 14-day CLP hold; ELDT required; 21+ for interstate or hazmat.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in North Carolina in 2026? The NC state median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers (SOC 53-3032) is $54,150 per BLS OEWS May 20243 — approximately 5.7% below the national $57,440 median.1 Experienced drivers on specialty freight (senior LTL linehaul at Old Dominion, pharma dedicated) commonly push into the $78–$100k range. Entry-level drivers typically earn $38–$46k in year one.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in North Carolina? Senior LTL linehaul at Old Dominion (HQ Thomasville NC), Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight with accumulated seniority and T endorsement is commonly the highest-paying conventional CDL-A lane, with experienced drivers exceeding $85–$100k. Specialty tanker, pharma dedicated, and Lowe's / Walmart private fleet dedicated can match this.
Where in NC do truck drivers get paid the most? Charlotte MSA leads on banking-logistics-distribution density and LTL linehaul concentration. Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel Hill lead on pharma/tech dedicated. Smaller/rural metros pay below state median. Verify at BLS metro tables.5
Is NC a good state for truck drivers? Yes — NC's position on I-85/I-40/I-95/I-77 corridors makes every route type viable. Old Dominion Freight Line HQ in Thomasville makes NC one of the strongest states for LTL linehaul careers. Cost of living is favorable vs coastal Northeast. Research Triangle pharma dedicated offers stable dedicated work.
How does NC truck driver pay compare to South Carolina? NC state median ($54,150) is slightly above SC state median (typically $52,000–$53,000). Both states are below national. Charlotte metro NC and Charleston Port SC lead their respective states on pay. NC's LTL linehaul concentration (ODFL HQ) gives NC a slight upper-tail advantage.
Can I make six figures as a truck driver in NC? Yes. Common paths: senior LTL linehaul at Old Dominion (Thomasville NC HQ) / Saia / XPO / ABF; pharma dedicated at Raleigh Triangle carriers; Lowe's (Mooresville NC HQ) or Walmart Private Fleet dedicated; specialty tanker with X endorsement. Mainstream OTR rarely exceeds $100k without aggressive mileage + accessorials.
What are the largest carriers hiring in NC in 2026? Based on public recruiting: Old Dominion Freight Line (Thomasville HQ), Lowe's transportation (Mooresville HQ), Epes Transport System, Saia, XPO, Walmart Private Fleet, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Schneider, Werner. Verify current pay bands via each recruiting portal.
I work Charlotte dedicated banking logistics. Any specifics? Class A CDL baseline; banking-services dedicated often emphasizes on-time reliability over pay premium. Chemical/hazmat for downtown financial-services-related specialty (secure document shredding, etc.) may offer specialty pay.
Sources
-
BLS OEWS, "53-3032 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers," 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 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — North Carolina."
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nc.htm↩↩↩↩↩↩↩ -
U.S. BEA, "Regional Price Parities by State and Metro."
https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area↩ -
BLS OEWS, "May 2024 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates." Charlotte MSA:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_16740.htm· Raleigh-Cary MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_39580.htm· Durham-Chapel Hill MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_20500.htm· Greensboro-High Point:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_24660.htm· Wilmington NC:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_48900.htm· All NC MSAs:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm↩↩↩↩↩↩↩
