Truck Driver Salary in Wisconsin (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development data, and carrier-published pay bands.
Wisconsin's freight economy is built on dairy ("America's Dairyland"), paper manufacturing (Fox Valley historical + current), Great Lakes port freight (Milwaukee, Green Bay, Superior), automotive supply chain, and the I-94 corridor connecting Milwaukee-Madison-Minneapolis/St. Paul. WI state median tracks essentially at national median. This guide extracts BLS OEWS for Wisconsin against the national $57,440 median for SOC 53-3032 (May 2024).1
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — WI median annual wage: $57,630.3 That's $190 above national — essentially at national median (+0.3%).1
- WI state employment: ~36,850 heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.3
- Top paying WI metros: Milwaukee–Waukesha MSA (distribution + Harley-Davidson + LTL); Madison MSA; Green Bay MSA (paper + Green Bay Packaging).
- Dominant freight segments: Milwaukee metro distribution; Harley-Davidson logistics; dairy specialty (bulk milk, cheese, reefer); paper manufacturing (Fox Valley); forest products (Northern WI); Great Lakes port freight (Milwaukee, Green Bay, Superior); I-94 corridor LTL.
- Pay premium endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T). Tanker especially valuable for bulk milk.
- Cross-reference: Wisconsin CDL Requirements guide.
WI Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
BLS OEWS state data for SOC 53-3032 in WI, May 2024 reference period. Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm.3
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual median (50th percentile) | $57,630 | BLS OEWS state cell, May 2024.3 |
| Annual mean wage | ~$58,500–$60,500 | Mean slightly above median. |
| Annual 10th percentile | ~$38,500–$40,500 | Entry-level. |
| Annual 25th percentile | ~$46,500–$49,000 | |
| Annual 75th percentile | ~$69,500–$74,000 | Experienced dedicated, LTL, dairy specialty. |
| Annual 90th percentile | ~$83,500–$90,000 | LTL linehaul seniority, specialty tanker (bulk milk/dairy), flatbed forest products. |
| State employment | ~36,850 | 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 WI Compares to National
WI's $57,630 state median is essentially at the $57,440 national median.13 BEA RPP shows Wisconsin slightly below national — strong real purchasing power on WI median pay.4
Metro variation: - Above state median: Milwaukee–Waukesha MSA, Madison MSA. - Near state median: Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh. - Below state median: Northern Wisconsin rural, La Crosse, Eau Claire.
Top WI Metros for Truck Drivers
Milwaukee (Milwaukee–Waukesha MSA)
Largest WI trucking metro: - Harley-Davidson HQ + dedicated freight. - Milwaukee Port + Great Lakes bulk. - I-94 / I-43 / I-894 convergence. - Major distribution — Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kohl's (HQ Menomonee Falls WI — major WI retailer). - Manufacturing — GE Healthcare, Johnson Controls, Rockwell Automation.
Milwaukee MSA OEWS posts at or above WI state mean. Current MSA data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_33340.htm.5
Madison (Madison MSA)
State capital + University of Wisconsin + some distribution. Tracks near state median. Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_31540.htm.5
Green Bay (Green Bay MSA)
Paper manufacturing (Green Bay Packaging + multiple historical paper mills) + Lambeau Field seasonal logistics + Great Lakes port (Port of Green Bay). Tracks near state median.5
Appleton, Oshkosh (Fox Valley)
Paper manufacturing corridor + Oshkosh Corporation (specialty vehicle manufacturing) + Kimberly-Clark operations. Tracks near state median.5
Superior (Great Lakes port)
Duluth-Superior port on Lake Superior — bulk commodities (iron ore, grain, coal). Shares metro with Duluth MN. Tracks below state median or at it.5
Major Freight Industries Driving WI Pay
| Industry | Freight footprint | Endorsement fit | Pay band notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy specialty (bulk milk, cheese, reefer) | Statewide dairy region | N (tank) for bulk milk | Dedicated dairy $65–$90k; tanker specialty $70–$95k. |
| Paper manufacturing (Fox Valley) | Appleton, Green Bay, Stevens Point area | None required; specialty flatbed | $60–$82k experienced flatbed. |
| LTL linehaul | Statewide (ODFL, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, R+L Carriers) | T valuable | Senior $80–$102k+. |
| Milwaukee metro distribution | Kohl's, Amazon, Walmart, Target DCs | None required | $62–$85k experienced. |
| Harley-Davidson dedicated | Milwaukee metro | Specialty training | $65–$88k experienced. |
| Great Lakes port (Milwaukee, Green Bay, Superior) | Bulk commodities | N for bulk; H for hazmat | $62–$85k experienced. |
| Forest products (Northern WI) | North WI + UP adjacency | Specialty flatbed | $58–$82k. |
| Automotive specialty | Kenosha, Racine tier-1 | Specialty training | $65–$88k experienced. |
Major Carriers Hiring in WI
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO Logistics, ABF Freight, FedEx Freight, Estes Express, R+L Carriers, USF Holland, Dayton Freight.
- Mega OTR / Regional: Schneider (HQ Green Bay WI — major WI employer, one of largest US carriers), Werner, CR England, Heartland, Knight-Swift.
- Dedicated / private fleet: Walmart Private Fleet, Target, Amazon (multiple WI DCs), Kohl's (HQ Menomonee Falls WI — major WI retailer dedicated), Roundy's / Pick 'n Save (grocery).
- Dairy specialty: Multiple dairy-specific carriers (Associated Milk Producers, Dairy Farmers of America, regional cheese-haul operators).
- Paper specialty: Foremost Farms + various specialty paper carriers.
- Tanker / petroleum: Kenan Advantage Group, local fuel distributors.
- WI-HQ: Schneider National (Green Bay HQ — one of the largest US trucking companies), Kohl's (Menomonee Falls), multiple dairy specialty carriers.
Schneider National HQ in Green Bay WI makes Wisconsin a major trucking-HQ state.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $60–$82k.
- Regional (WI + IL/MN/IA/MI-UP): $64–$86k.
- Local / home-daily: $52–$82k; Milwaukee drayage and dairy local $62–$85k.
- Dedicated: $65–$90k; dairy specialty, Harley-Davidson, Kohl's.
- Dairy tanker (N-endorsed bulk milk): $68–$95k experienced — Wisconsin dairy specialty.
- LTL linehaul: $80–$102k+ senior.
- Owner-operator: variable $68–$140k net.
Use CPM → Annual Salary calculator + Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator.
WI CDL and Licensing
Wisconsin CDL Requirements guide. WI DOT DMV; $30 CLP + $74 CDL = $104 total; $44 Hazmat endorsement + $23.75 fingerprinting; prorated pricing based on time remaining on existing WI license; third-party skills tester model.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Wisconsin in 2026? WI state median for SOC 53-3032 is $57,630 per BLS OEWS May 20243 — essentially at national median ($57,440).1 Experienced drivers on specialty freight (senior LTL, dairy bulk milk, Schneider senior programs, dedicated) push into $82–$102k. Entry-level drivers earn $40–$48k year one.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Wisconsin? Senior LTL linehaul with T endorsement at Milwaukee-area majors is commonly the highest-paying conventional CDL-A lane — experienced drivers exceed $82–$102k. Dairy bulk milk tanker (N-endorsed) is a Wisconsin specialty with strong pay. Schneider senior programs (Green Bay HQ) and specialty tanker (X-endorsed) can match.
Where in WI do truck drivers get paid the most? Milwaukee–Waukesha MSA leads on distribution density and LTL concentration. Madison MSA tracks near state median. Green Bay (Schneider HQ + paper) and Fox Valley (paper) track near state median. Northern WI below.
Is WI a good state for truck drivers? Yes — Schneider National HQ in Green Bay is a major WI employer and one of the largest US trucking companies. Dairy specialty creates unique Wisconsin-specific CDL opportunities (bulk milk tanker is a niche pay premium). Winter driving skill essential — severe snow and cold. Cost of living favorable outside Milwaukee-metro pockets.
How does WI truck driver pay compare to Minnesota? WI state median ($57,630) is close to but below MN state median (typically $59,780). Both near national. WI's Schneider HQ + dairy specialty are strong; MN's Twin Cities distribution density + medical device freight match on different dimensions.
Can I make six figures as a truck driver in Wisconsin? Yes. Senior LTL linehaul; dairy bulk milk tanker specialty (N-endorsed); Schneider senior programs; Kohl's or Amazon dedicated; specialty tanker with X endorsement; well-run owner-operator on dairy or specialty freight.
What are the largest carriers hiring in WI in 2026? Schneider National (HQ Green Bay — major employer), Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, ABF, FedEx Freight, Walmart Private Fleet, Kohl's (Menomonee Falls HQ), Amazon, dairy specialty carriers (Associated Milk Producers, DFA regional). Verify current pay bands via each recruiting portal.
I want to drive dairy (bulk milk tanker). What's unique? Wisconsin dairy specialty is a real niche — bulk milk tanker requires N (tanker) endorsement. Dairy farmers typically need milk pickup daily, creating local/regional route structure with predictable schedules. Pay premium for experienced milk haulers; specialty equipment training required (agitation, CIP cleaning protocols).
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 — Wisconsin."
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.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." Milwaukee-Waukesha MSA:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_33340.htm· Madison MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_31540.htm· Green Bay MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_24580.htm· Appleton MSA:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_11540.htm· Duluth MN-WI MSA (Superior side):https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_20260.htm· All WI MSAs:https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm↩↩↩↩↩
