BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · Alabama: $47,680/year · Difference: -$3,360/year
| Metric | Alabama | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $47,680 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $22.92 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $43,880 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $21.10 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 43.2K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in Alabama is $47,680 per year ($22.92/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $43,880/year. Approximately 43.2 thousand drivers work in this category in Alabama.
Alabama ranks #45 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; Alabama is $3,360 lower (-6.6%).
Pay depends on freight volume, proximity to major distribution hubs and ports, cost of living, employer type (private fleet vs. for-hire), experience, CDL endorsements, and route type (OTR vs. regional vs. local). Specialized freight — hazmat, reefer, flatbed, oversized — typically pays a premium over dry van rates in any state.