BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · North Carolina: $48,740/year · Difference: -$2,300/year
| Metric | North Carolina | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $48,740 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $23.43 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $45,760 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $22.00 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 55.7K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in North Carolina is $48,740 per year ($23.43/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $45,760/year. Approximately 55.7 thousand drivers work in this category in North Carolina.
North Carolina ranks #41 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; North Carolina is $2,300 lower (-4.5%).
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.