BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · Kentucky: $50,390/year · Difference: -$650/year
| Metric | Kentucky | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $50,390 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $24.22 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $47,420 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $22.80 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 38.9K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in Kentucky is $50,390 per year ($24.22/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $47,420/year. Approximately 38.9 thousand drivers work in this category in Kentucky.
Kentucky ranks #35 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; Kentucky is $650 lower (-1.3%).
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.