BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · Rhode Island: $58,270/year · Difference: +$7,230/year
| Metric | Rhode Island | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $58,270 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $28.01 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $54,500 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $26.20 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 4.4K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in Rhode Island is $58,270 per year ($28.01/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $54,500/year. Approximately 4.4 thousand drivers work in this category in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island ranks #6 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; Rhode Island is $7,230 higher (+14.2%).
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.