BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · Tennessee: $49,570/year · Difference: -$1,470/year
| Metric | Tennessee | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $49,570 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $23.83 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $46,390 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $22.30 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 55.3K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in Tennessee is $49,570 per year ($23.83/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $46,390/year. Approximately 55.3 thousand drivers work in this category in Tennessee.
Tennessee ranks #39 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; Tennessee is $1,470 lower (-2.9%).
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.