If you’re thinking about becoming a truck driver, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: how much do CDL drivers make in New Jersey?
It can be confusing because different sources give you very different numbers. That’s why we put together this article to clear up the confusion, and explain how much CDL drivers ACTUALLY make in New Jersey.
Average New Jersey Truck Driver Salary
Average Salary in US
As a CDL Truck Driver, you will have job opportunities to earn an average of $70K per year or more, across the United States.
*Indeed
Average Salary in NJ
Truck driver in New Jersey have access to jobs with annual earning averaged over $95,000 with top earners getting well over $150,000/year.
Truckers in NJ
There’s a shortage of qualified drivers in the Garden State! CDL training can open the door to 3,800 to 5,300+ active CDL driver job openings in NJ and 1000’s more in NY, PA and DE.
Truck Driver Salary In NJ
Truck driver salaries in New Jersey can range anywhere from $54,000 all the way up to $210,000 according to job listings on Indeed.
In the great state of New Jersey the average trucker driver makes over $95,000 per year.
That’s almost $20,000 more per year than the overall average salary is $76,320 in Jersey.
And for those without college degrees that average drops down to just $35,468 in NJ.
Even the lowest paying CDL job in New Jersey pays over $18,000 more than the average salary for non-college graduates
With just a CDL license (which can often be earned in a matter of weeks) drivers can step into jobs that offer solid starting pay, consistent demand and clear paths to even higher earnings.
Regardless of where you live, truck driving is one of the most lucrative careers you can pursue without a college degree.
What Changes Truck Driver Pay in New Jersey?
Truck driver pay in New Jersey can vary a lot from one job to another.
Two drivers may have a very different paycheck based on the type of license they hold, the kind of freight they haul, the routes they run, or the company they work for. That is why there is no one-size-fits-all answer when people ask how much truck drivers make in New Jersey. Your pay usually depends on a combination of experience, job type, and the value you bring to an employer.
The biggest things that can change your pay include:
1. Your experience level
New drivers usually start at the lower end of the pay range because they are still building time on the road and proving they can drive safely and consistently.
As drivers gain experience, avoid accidents, and show they can handle different routes and equipment, they often qualify for better-paying jobs and stronger offers from employers.
2. Class A vs. Class B CDL
One of the biggest difference between Class A and Class B CDL is that a Class A CDL have access to more job opportunities and higher-paying routes than drivers with a Class B CDL.
That is because Class A drivers can operate combination vehicles like tractor-trailers, which are often tied to long-haul, regional, and specialized freight jobs.
3. Local, regional, or over-the-road routes
The type of route you run can make a big difference in what you earn.
- Local jobs may offer more home time and often pay hourly.
- Regional jobs may combine steady miles with more predictable schedules.
- Over-the-road jobs often offer higher earning potential because drivers cover more distance, but they also spend more time away from home.
4. The type of freight you haul
Not all freight pays the same. Jobs involving more difficult, time-sensitive, or specialized freight may pay more than standard dry van loads. Drivers who haul tanker loads, hazmat freight, oversized loads, or other specialized cargo may have access to higher-paying opportunities because the work requires more responsibility and, in some cases, extra endorsements.
5. Endorsements and extra qualifications
Adding endorsements to your CDL can open the door to better-paying jobs. For example, endorsements for hazmat, tanker, or passenger vehicles may qualify you for more specialized driving work. The more qualified you are, the more valuable you may become to employers looking for drivers with specific skills.
6. The company you work for
Pay can vary significantly from one trucking company to another. Some companies offer stronger starting pay, better bonuses, more consistent miles, or better-paying dedicated routes. Others may offer lower pay but more home time or a different work-life balance. That is why two drivers doing similar work may still earn different amounts depending on who employs them.
Class A vs. Class B Truck Driver Salary in New Jersey
A lot of our students here at Driving Academy ask about the difference in salary between Class A CDL and Class B CDL.
The answer kind of depends on many factors, but in general Class A usually has the higher salary ceiling because it covers larger combination vehicles and more specialized freight.
More Freight = More Money
Class B CDL drivers can still make very good money in New Jersey!
However, the jobs are often tied to extra labor like for garbage and construction positions, or route-based work like deliveries and bus driving. These jobs are typically more than just driving from point a to point b.
Below is some data on the average CDL salaries in NJ for different types of drivers. We’ve gather from various job posting sites around the web:
Class A CDL
| Vehicle / Job Type | Average Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tractor-Trailer | $97,142/year | Indeed |
| Tanker | $112,459/year | Indeed |
| Flatbed Truck | $64,992/year | ZipRecruiter |
| Car Hauler | $135,584/year | Indeed |
| Livestock Truck | $57,207/year | ZipRecruiter |
Class B CDL
| Vehicle / Job Type | Average Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dump Truck | $55,479/year | Indeed |
| Bus | $55,724/year | Indeed |
| School Bus | $44,479/year | ZipRecruiter |
| Box Truck | $43,494/year | ZipRecruiter |
The pattern is pretty clear, Class A CDL can get you into jobs that offer more upside, especially when you get into specialized freight like tanker, car hauling, or other combination-vehicle work.
Class B jobs can still pay well and may offer more local schedules and home time, but they usually don’t have the same top-end earnings as many Class A roles.
If you are not sure about which one to get, you can check out our article about Difference between Class A and Class B CDL, or just straight up give our CDL advisor a call!
Job Outlook for Truck Drivers in New Jersey
The job outlook for truck drivers remains strong because trucking continues to be one of the largest transportation occupations in the country.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, which is significantly faster than other ocupations.
BLS also projects about 237,600 openings per year nationally over that period, with many of those openings coming from retirements, career changes, and turnover.
For New Jersey specifically, adding up active postings on job boards and company websites you get somewhere between 3,800 to 5,300+ active CDL driver job openings in New Jersey.
That’s a lot of opportunities to make a lot of money in NJ!
Truck Driver Shortage
According to studies done by the American Trucking Association there is currently a 60,000 driver shortage!
Many truck drivers are getting older and retiring, and not enough younger people are choosing this job. At the same time, more and more people are ordering things online, so we need more CDL drivers to deliver all those goods between warehouses and distribution centers.
In New Jersey, this shortage is an extra big deal because a lot of goods come through the state’s roads and ports. When there are not enough drivers, deliveries can be late and stores might not get what they need on time.
But it also means there are great job opportunities for people in New Jersey who want to become truck drivers. And when ever there is a shortage of CDL holders, that’s when the truck driver pay goes up a tremendous amount!
