Truck Driver Salary in Oklahoma (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025).
Oklahoma sits at the crossroads of the southern U.S. trucking economy. I-40 runs east-west across the state; I-35 runs north-south from Texas to Kansas; the Will Rogers Turnpike connects Tulsa to the Missouri border; and the Anadarko, SCOOP, and STACK oil and gas plays produce significant oilfield-services freight. Oklahoma is also home to Groendyke Transport (HQ Enid) — one of the largest tank-truck carriers in the U.S. This guide extracts BLS OEWS data for Oklahoma, names the metros and carriers, and contextualizes pay against the national $57,440 median for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers (SOC 53-3032) as of May 2024.1
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — Oklahoma state median annual wage: $52,140. State employment: ~23,970 heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.2 National median: $57,440.1
- Oklahoma median sits ~$5,300 below the national median on nominal — partially offset by below-national cost of living per BEA Regional Price Parities.3
- Top paying Oklahoma metros: Oklahoma City MSA, Tulsa MSA.
- Distinguishing features: I-40 / I-35 / Will Rogers Turnpike convergence, active oil & gas basins (SCOOP/STACK), Groendyke Transport HQ Enid, Love's Travel Stops HQ OKC.
- Cross-reference: Oklahoma CDL process is covered in the Oklahoma CDL Requirements guide.
Oklahoma Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ok.htm.2
| Metric | Value | Source notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median wage (50th percentile) | $52,140 | BLS OEWS OK, May 2024 release. |
| State employment (heavy + tractor-trailer) | ~23,970 | Mid-range state total per BLS state OEWS. |
| State vs national median | −$5,300 (−9.2%) | Oklahoma sits below the national median; lower cost of living offsets meaningfully. |
OEWS revises annually. Verify the live OK state page before any decision.
How Oklahoma Compares to the National Median
Oklahoma's $52,140 median sits ~$5,300 below national. BEA Regional Price Parities place Oklahoma below the national index of 100.0 — real purchasing power is substantially closer to national than the nominal gap suggests.3 State income tax caps at ~4.75%, lower than many high-nominal-wage states. Net take-home for a $52,140 Oklahoma driver vs a $57,440 California driver is meaningfully better than the nominal gap implies after tax and cost of living.
Top Oklahoma Metros for Truck Drivers
Oklahoma City MSA
- I-40 / I-35 / I-44 convergence — one of the most important interstate intersections in the southern Plains.
- Love's Travel Stops (HQ OKC) — corporate HQ + distribution center + affiliated trucking.
- Aerospace / Tinker Air Force Base — defense logistics.
- Oilfield services freight — service companies HQ + field operations.
OKC MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_36420.htm.4
Tulsa MSA
- Oil & gas service sector — historic industry base, active operations.
- American Airlines maintenance base — aviation logistics.
- I-44 / Will Rogers Turnpike — eastbound freight.
Tulsa MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_46140.htm.4
Enid / Lawton / Ardmore
- Enid — Groendyke Transport corporate HQ; agricultural freight center.
- Lawton — Fort Sill Army logistics.
- Ardmore — I-35 border metro with Texas; ranch/ag freight.
Major Freight Industries Driving Oklahoma Pay
| Industry | Footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oilfield services (SCOOP/STACK/Anadarko) | Western + Central OK | N for frac water; H for oilfield chemicals | Cyclical; $55–$85k active. |
| Oil/chemical tanker | Statewide | X (H+N) required | $65–$95k+ experienced; Groendyke strong. |
| LTL linehaul | I-40 + I-35 + Turnpike | T required | $72–$100k experienced with OT. |
| Agricultural freight | Statewide, especially Western OK | None required | $48–$70k. |
| General distribution | OKC + Tulsa | None | $50–$75k. |
| Cross-border refrigerated (TX/KS corridors) | Statewide | None | $55–$78k. |
Major Carriers Hiring in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma-based: Groendyke Transport (HQ Enid) — one of the largest tank-truck carriers in the U.S.; premier X-endorsed employer in the state. Melton Truck Lines (HQ Tulsa) — flatbed specialty. Love's Travel Stops (HQ OKC) — operating fleets + Gemini Motor Transport affiliate (fuel tanker).
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Knight-Swift, Heartland Express, Prime Inc., Stevens Transport.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, FedEx Freight, Estes, ABF Freight (Teamster), TForce, R+L Carriers.
- Tanker specialty: Kenan Advantage Group, Trimac, RKA Petroleum.
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Sam's Club distribution, Dollar General dedicated, Sysco, Pepsi.
- Flatbed specialty: Maverick, TMC, Melton (HQ Tulsa).
Groendyke Transport and Melton Truck Lines are worth specific mention for Oklahoma drivers — two major carriers headquartered in-state.
Pay by Route Type Within Oklahoma
- OTR: $58–$80k; I-40 east-west freight is plentiful.
- Regional (OK/TX/KS/AR): $62–$85k.
- Local / home-daily: $45–$78k; oilfield local at upper end.
- Dedicated: $55–$82k; Walmart Private Fleet and Love's at upper end.
- Groendyke / Melton flatbed leased-on OO: Strong Oklahoma OO path; verify specific program economics.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Oklahoma in 2026? Oklahoma's BLS OEWS May 2024 state median is $52,140, with ~23,970 drivers employed.2 The state sits ~$5,300 below the national median of $57,440.1 Experienced drivers at Groendyke (X-endorsed tanker) or senior LTL linehaul push into $80,000–$95,000+.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Oklahoma? X-endorsed bulk fuel or chemical tanker at Groendyke Transport (HQ Enid), senior LTL linehaul at Old Dominion or Saia with OT, or oilfield specialty (active frac work in SCOOP/STACK). $80,000–$100,000+ achievable for experienced specialists.
Where in Oklahoma do truck drivers get paid the most? OKC MSA typically leads on nominal due to interstate convergence + Love's + aerospace freight. Tulsa follows. Oilfield-adjacent Western Oklahoma can post strong per-run pay when oil prices support active drilling.
Is Oklahoma a good state for truck drivers? Yes for drivers targeting specialty (tanker, flatbed, oilfield) or willing to accept below-national nominal wages in exchange for low cost of living. Real purchasing power is competitive; state income tax is moderate. Not ideal for drivers chasing top nominal pay ceilings.
How does Oklahoma compare to Texas? Texas state median ($55,800) is above Oklahoma's ($52,140). Texas has broader freight base (petrochemical, cross-border, distribution megahub DFW). Oklahoma's advantage is specialty-carrier concentration (Groendyke, Melton) and lower cost of living.
What is the cheapest state to live as a truck driver near Oklahoma? Oklahoma itself ranks among the lower cost-of-living states per BEA RPP. Arkansas (just east, median $52,120) and Mississippi ($52,440) are similarly low-cost neighbors.
What are the largest carriers hiring in Oklahoma in 2026? Based on public recruiting activity: Groendyke Transport (Enid), Melton Truck Lines (Tulsa), Love's Travel Stops (OKC), Schneider, Werner, Walmart Private Fleet, Old Dominion, Saia, Kenan Advantage Group.
Sources
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BLS OEWS 53-3032 National, May 2024 release (published March 2025). https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm ↩↩↩
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BLS OEWS Oklahoma State. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ok.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 Metropolitan Area. OKC MSA: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_36420.htm · Tulsa MSA: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_46140.htm · All Oklahoma MSAs: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm ↩↩
