BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · North Dakota: $56,440/year · Difference: +$5,400/year
| Metric | North Dakota | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $56,440 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $27.13 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $53,050 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $25.50 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 9.5K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in North Dakota is $56,440 per year ($27.13/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $53,050/year. Approximately 9.5 thousand drivers work in this category in North Dakota.
North Dakota ranks #12 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; North Dakota is $5,400 higher (+10.6%).
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.