Truck Driver Salary in Oregon (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers

Truck Driver Salary in Oregon (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers

Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025) and carrier-published pay bands as of this date.

Oregon sits at the center of the Pacific Northwest trucking economy. The Port of Portland moves container, auto, and agricultural freight; the I-5 corridor is the Pacific Coast's primary north-south freight spine from San Diego to the Canadian border; Willamette Valley agriculture generates significant produce and wine freight; and the Pacific Northwest tech-and-semiconductor cluster (Intel Hillsboro, Nike Beaverton) drives specialized logistics demand. Oregon's no state sales tax is a distinctive feature that affects driver purchasing power vs same-nominal-wage states with sales tax. This guide extracts BLS OEWS data for Oregon, 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 — Oregon state median annual wage: $61,920. State employment: ~19,290 heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.² National median: $57,440.¹
• Oregon median sits ~$4,480 above the national median on nominal — Oregon ranks among the higher-paying states for CDL drivers.
• Top paying Oregon metros: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro MSA, Salem MSA, Eugene-Springfield MSA.
• Distinguishing features: Port of Portland (container + auto import + grain export), I-5 corridor density, Intel Hillsboro semiconductor freight, Nike Beaverton supply chain, Willamette Valley produce + wine, no state sales tax (but state income tax up to ~9.9%).
• Cross-reference: Oregon CDL process is covered in the Oregon CDL Requirements guide.

Oregon Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data

Verify the exact current figures at the BLS Oregon state profile: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_or.htm.²

OEWS revises annually. The May 2024 release is the current authoritative cycle as of this guide's last-verified date.

How Oregon Compares to the National Median

Oregon's $61,920 median sits ~$4,480 above the national median of $57,440.¹² The real-pay picture:

• BEA Regional Price Parities for Oregon track slightly above the national index, driven by Portland-metro cost of living.³ Housing cost in Portland is materially above national average.
• No state sales tax in Oregon — on consumption, Oregon drivers keep more of their take-home than same-nominal-wage drivers in WA, CA, TX, or FL.
• State income tax up to ~9.9% (top bracket) — Oregon is a high-tax state on wages. For most drivers this offsets the sales-tax advantage vs Washington (which has no income tax but does have sales tax).

Net: Oregon's nominal wage advantage is real; real purchasing power is moderately better than states with lower nominal pay and comparable cost of living, moderately worse than similar-nominal states with lower taxes.

Top Oregon Metros for Truck Drivers

Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro MSA

The dominant trucking metro in Oregon (and the Pacific Northwest outside Seattle): - Port of Portland — container, auto import (Honda, Hyundai, Subaru), grain export to Asia, break-bulk. Port drayage is a significant local freight segment. - Intel Hillsboro — one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing sites in the U.S.; specialized + dedicated chemical and equipment freight. - Nike Beaverton — global HQ + domestic distribution footprint. - I-5 / I-84 / I-205 / I-405 convergence.

Portland MSA OEWS typically posts above state median. Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_38900.htm.⁴

Salem MSA

Oregon state capital + Willamette Valley ag: - State government + education supply chain — Oregon state operations + higher ed. - Willamette Valley produce + wine — one of the premier U.S. wine regions generates significant dedicated refrigerated freight. - I-5 corridor — south of Portland.

Salem MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_41420.htm.⁴

Eugene–Springfield MSA

• University of Oregon + timber + specialty agriculture.
• I-5 corridor — further south, connecting to California border.

Eugene MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_21660.htm.⁴

Medford / Bend / Astoria

• Medford — Rogue Valley, California-border freight.
• Bend — Central Oregon, growing distribution + tourism support.
• Astoria — Columbia River mouth, small port, Pacific coastal freight.

Major Freight Industries Driving Oregon Pay

Major Carriers Hiring in Oregon

• Oregon-based: May Trucking (HQ Brooks OR — specialty refrigerated), Oak Harbor Freight Lines (HQ Auburn WA but major OR presence), Combined Transport (HQ Central Point OR — specialty heavy haul).
• Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Knight-Swift, Heartland Express, Prime Refrigerated.
• LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, Estes, FedEx Freight, ABF Freight, TForce, Oak Harbor Freight (Pacific Northwest specialist).
• Port drayage: Pacific Region drayage specialists, ITS ConGlobal, Shippers Transport.
• Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Costco (HQ Issaquah WA, strong OR ops), Amazon Freight, Safeway / Albertsons distribution, Fred Meyer (Kroger).
• Tanker: Kenan Advantage Group, Groendyke, Trimac.
• Specialty: Jack Cooper auto-haul (Port of Portland auto imports).

Pay by Route Type Within Oregon

• OTR from Oregon origin: $62–$85k; I-5 to California is a major outbound lane.
• Regional (OR/WA/ID/CA-north): $68–$92k.
• Local / home-daily: $55–$85k; Portland drayage and LTL P&D at upper end.
• Dedicated: $62–$92k; Intel Hillsboro and Nike dedicated at upper end.
• Owner-operator: Oregon does not have California's AB5 constraint — leased-on OO programs operate more freely.

FAQs

How much does a truck driver make in Oregon in 2026? Oregon's BLS OEWS May 2024 state median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers (SOC 53-3032) is $61,920, based on ~19,290 drivers employed statewide.² The state sits ~$4,480 above the national median of $57,440.¹ Experienced drivers push into the $85,000–$105,000+ range in senior LTL linehaul, Intel Hillsboro dedicated, or specialty tanker.

What is the highest-paying trucking job in Oregon? Senior LTL linehaul (Old Dominion, Saia with OT), Intel Hillsboro semiconductor dedicated, and specialty X-endorsed tanker in the Portland metro are the highest common ceilings. $90,000–$105,000+ with benefits is achievable.

Where in Oregon do truck drivers get paid the most? Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro MSA typically leads on nominal due to port drayage + Intel + Nike + LTL density. Salem and Eugene track below Portland but above smaller metros.

Does Oregon have Californian-style AB5 rules for owner-operators? No. Oregon does not have an equivalent to California's AB5 applied to trucking. Leased-on owner-operator programs operate in Oregon under traditional structures. Always verify the specific carrier's program terms with counsel before signing.

Is Oregon a good state for truck drivers? Yes on nominal — Oregon ranks among the higher-paying states for CDL drivers (+$4,480 vs national). Portland cost of living offsets some of the advantage; outside Portland cost is more moderate. No sales tax is a real bonus; state income tax up to ~9.9% offsets some of that.

How does Oregon compare to Washington for truck drivers? Both have similar BLS state medians (Washington's is ~$60,290 per CALC-13). Washington has higher sales tax; Oregon has higher income tax. Washington has Seattle/Tacoma port drayage; Oregon has Portland port + Intel Hillsboro. Choice often comes down to metro preference.

What are the largest carriers hiring in Oregon in 2026? Based on public recruiting activity: May Trucking (HQ OR), Oak Harbor Freight, Old Dominion, Saia, Schneider, Werner, Costco dedicated, Amazon Freight, Walmart Private Fleet, Kenan Advantage. Verify at each carrier's recruiting site.

Sources