Truck Driving Jobs in KY
Apply for Truck Driving Jobs in Kentucky
Due to an increase in demand, trucking companies in Kentucky will be hiring more qualified truck drivers over the next several years. If you are searching for a new career or are just starting off on your own, you may want to consider truck driving jobs in KY.
- Earn up to $.54 per mile
- One week vacation after 1 year
- Two weeks vacation after 2 years
- 2,500 paid miles per week guaranteed!
- Pets allowed
- Medical, dental & life insurance
- OTR drivers start at $.50 - $.53 per mile
- Top 25% OTR drivers average $80,300 per year
- No-cost rider policy
- Safe Driver Productivity Bonus
- 401-k
- Full benefits: Health/dental/vision/life
- Teams start up to $0.79 CPM + $6,000 transition bonus!
- Solos start up to $0.74 CPM + $3,000 transition bonus!
- Medical/dental/life Insurance/paid vacation & 401-k match
- 7 days out/2 days home option
- High percentage of drop & hook
- Pet/rider policy
- $5,000 sign-on bonus for experienced drivers!
- Earn up to $79,000 yearly based on experience
- 95% no-touch freight
- Weekly home time
- Medical/dental/vision insurance & 401(k) match
- Up to $7,000 tuition reimbursement for qualified drivers
- Extra pickup/dropoff bonuses
- Hiring bonuses
- Safety bonuses
- Spouse/child rider program
- Pet rider program
- Paid layovers
- GREAT PAY – Earn up to $130,000 per year!
- Experienced drivers now START at 56 CPM – 61 CPM!
- 48 CPM after training + increases to 58 CPM in 5 months!
- Outstanding Team incentives: Up to $3,400/week per team
- Medical/dental/vision/paid vacation & 401(k)
- No experience required! Paid CDL training available.
- $15,000 sign-on bonus – limited time only!
- $1,000 pay guarantee for the first eight weeks!
- Earn up to $75,000 yearly depending on route & experience
- Dental/vision/life insurance/paid vacation & 401(k)
- Home daily with consistent time off
- J.B. Hunt is hiring local CDL-A dedicated drivers!
- $10,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Regional Class A drivers earn up to $.50 per mile
- Consistent freight
- Weekly home time
- Referral bonus & quarterly safety bonus
- Medical/dental/disability/life insurance + 401(k)
- $2,000 referral bonus for every driver referral
- Owner Operators average $180,000 - $220,000 gross
- Great Home Time: Most Drivers Out 7 to 10 days
- Hefty Fuel Discounts Across Our Network
- Third Party Insurance Available
- Owner Operator Receives 100% Fuel Surcharge
Roadrunner Transportation Systems
- Top solo drivers earn up to $225,000 yearly
- Top teams earn up to $350,000+ yearly
- Company drivers earn up to $1,200+ weekly
- Late model equipment
- Health & Medical Plans Available
- Dedicated, OTR, local and regional positions
- Company drivers earn .45 -.50 per mile
- 72% line haul for owner/operators
- 2500-3000 miles a week
- Weekly home time
- Fuel Discounts
- No forced dispatch
- Exceptional base pay
- Bonus & recognition programs
- Company paid health/dental/life insurance
- Holiday pay
- Paid vacation time
- 24-hour personal support
- One day off for every week out GUARANTEED!
- Hazmat Mileage Bonus of $.04 more per mile
- 99% no-touch, 80% drop-and-hook freight
- Average fleet age of just 1 ¼ years
- Top-carrier medical/dental/life insurance
- Matched 401(k) plan
- Make $1,200 or more per week!
- Top drivers earn over $82,000 per year!
- Experienced drivers can earn up to $.59 per mile
- Most fleets are home weekly (many on the weekends)
- You'll target 2,100 miles a week (with more available)
- Industry-leading profit-sharing + full employee benefits
- Experienced drivers earn up to $.45
- Reliable home time
- Paid vacation
- Medical benefits
- 401K
- Life insurance
- Medical/dental/vision/life insuramce
- Long term disability
- Holiday pay
- Paid vacation
- Pet rider options
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Owner/operators earn 75% of revenue
- 100% fuel surcharge paid to you
- Fuel discount program
- Consistent freight
- No forced dispatch
- 100% owner operator company
- $1,200 per week GUARANTEED (1-2 years exp.)
- Experienced drivers can earn up to $67,000 yearly
- Weekly home time
- Health/dental/life insurance
- 401-k retirement plan
- Stable route with consistent miles
- Drivers earn $800 per week on average
- Most runs are 3 weeks out/1 week home
- Bonus pay opportunities available
- Low cost health insurance
- Excellent spouse/child rider program
- Excellent pet policy
- Drivers can earn up to $.56 per mile
- Entry level drivers guaranteed at least $850/week
- $3,000 - $5,000 sign-on bonus
- $2,400 tuition reimbursement (recent grads)
- Safety & performance bonuses
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Experienced drivers earn up to $.45
- Reliable home time
- Paid vacation
- Medical benefits
- 401K
- Life insurance
Southern Refrigerated Transport
- Company Drivers now receive 3-4 CPM more
- Recent grads receive $475/week paid training
- Home weekly opportunities (select areas)
- 99% no-touch freight with 1,800+ miles average
- Fuel and driver referral bonuses
- Up to $6,000 tuition reimbursement for recent grads
- $2,500 sign-on bonus
- Grads can earn up to 31 CPM
- Experience drivers earn up to 32 CPM
- Independent contractors earn up to $1.04/mile
- $6,000 tuition reimbursement program for grads
- Medical/dental/life insurance options + 401k
- $525 per week paid training for grads
- Company drivers can earn up to $.52 per mile
- Teams can earn up to $.60 per mile split
- 100% Employee Owned Stock Ownership Plan
- Medical/dental/vision/prescription coverage after 60 days
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
Christenson Transportation, Inc.
- Regional drivers earn up to $.48 per mile (loaded)
- OTR drivers earn up to $.46 per mile (loaded)
- Health/dental/vision insurance + 401(k)
- Paid vacation & orientation pay
- Layover & detention pay
- Pre-paid legal plan
- Up to $5,500 sign-on bonus
- Company flatbed drivers earn up to $.58 per mile
- Company dry van drivers earn up to $.52 per mile
- Top 10% drivers earn up to $85,000 per year
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance
- 401K/Profit sharing plan company match
Arnold Transportation Services
- $5,000 sign-on bonus paid out $150 weekly
- Drivers earn up to $.48 per mile base pay
- Earn .02 on every mile you run safely each quarter
- Rider and pet friendly
- Excellent benefits
- Paid vacation
- Solo drivers earn up to $.51 per mile
- Regional drivers earn up to $.52 per mile
- Teams earn up to $.54 per mile
- Layover pay and safety pay
- Paid holidays & paid vacation
- 1 day off for every 6 days out on the road
- Company drivers average $65,000 per year
- Reefers can average up to 2,500 miles per week (43-50 CPM)
- Flatbeds can average up to 2,800 miles per week (47-54 CPM)
- Teams can average up to 14,000 miles per monty (52-58 CPM split)
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Weekly pay with direct deposit
- Competitive driver pay
- 24/7 dispatch & driver support
- DSC with laundry/showers/maintenance
- Fuel discounts
- Flexibilty
- Great benefits
- $25,000 BONUS goes to driver with best end-of-year MPG!
- A NEW CAR GIVEAWAY every quarter!
- Solo drivers earn $.50 per mile!
- Teams earn $.60 per mile (split)
- Regional route drivers get guaranteed weekly home time!
- Pet & rider friendly
- Owner operators can earn up to $1.20 per mile + fuel
- Flexible home time for company drivers
- Paid vacation based on average yearly earnings
- Passenger & pet program
- Onsite workout facility
- Health/dental/life/AD&D insurance + 401(k)
- On-the-job paid training + weekly pay
- Drivers can make up to $80,000 yearly
- All miles paid (loaded & empty)
- Quarterly safety bonus
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Full tuition reimbursement from any driving school
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS OFFER when you APPLY NOW!
- Average $63,251 yearly. Top earners make $91,520/year!
- Top earners make up to $1,800 per week!
- Offering $1,600 transition package
- Home every week (not on weekends)
- Medical/dental/orientation pay/paid vacation + 401(k)
- Up to $100,000 plus bonuses for experienced company drivers!
- CDL-A company drivers can average up to $76,000 per year
- CDL-A regional drivers can earn up to $.70 per mile
- Drivers are home on most weekends
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- $2,500 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Solo drivers can earn from $.45 to $.55 per mile
- Regional drivers can earn up to $.78 per mile
- Teams can earn up from $.55 to $.60 per mile
- Medical/vision/dental/prescription insurance
- 401(k) available after 12 months employment
- Up to $10,000 sign-on bonus for owner operators!
- Company drivers earn $62,00 annually on average
- Late model equipment
- Industry competitive health insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Steady and consistent work
- Solo drivers average 2,300 miles weekly at 39-57 CPM
- Teams average 4,300 miles weekly at 46-60 CPM (split)
- Pet & passenger friendly
- Health/dental/vision insurance
- 401-k savings plan available
- Paid weekly with direct deposit
- Solo drivers earn $1.05 per mile loaded and empty
- Teams earn $1.10 per mile loaded and empty (split)
- $.02 per mile safety bonus paid quarterly
- Newer model trucks
- Road use & fuel taxes paid
- Nationwide Discount Fuel Network
- Local drivers receive hourly pay with overtime
- Paid weekly through direct deposit
- Driver referral bonus
- Premium health/dental/vision coverage
- Safety bonus & vacation pay
- 401-k with company contributions
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Class A CDL drivers are guaranteed to earn $63,650 yearly!
- Average 2,500-2,800 miles weekly with $1,250 pay guaranteed!
- No touch freight for dry van operators
- Full company benefits/401-(k)/vacation pay/paid holidays
- Newer dedicated equipment
- Top pay rates for drivers
- No-touch freight
- Top of the line equipment
- Medical & dental health insurance
- Annual raises
- Paid time off
- $7,500 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Competitive pay
- Excellent benefits
- Consistent mileage
- Great home time
- Well maintained equipment
- Solo drivers can earn up to $.65 per mile
- Teams can earn up to $.70 per mile (split)
- Great home time
- Excellent job benefits
- Recognized as "Carrier of the Year" in 2017
- Hiring nationwide
- Competitive pay
- Bonus potential
- Company-paid orientation
- Quarterly safety bonus
- Health/dental/life/disability insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Local/regional drivers earn $1,100 weekly!
- 8-10 hour work days
- No-touch automotive freight
- Medical/dental/vision insurance + 401(k)
- Paid weekly with direct deposit
- Solo drivers earn a net minimum of $81,000 yearly!
- Solo drivers get paid $2,800 within their first 8 days!
- Team drivers earn a net minimum of $151,000 yearly!
- Team drivers get paid $5,600 within their first 8 days!
- Tenure bonus of $3,000 (solos) & $5,500 (teams)
- Excellent company benefits
- Competitive pay (paid weekly)
- Monthly productivity bonus (earn up to 8 CPM more)
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance
- 401k retirement savings plan
- Late model equipment
- Passenger & pet program
- Paid CDL training ($600/week on-the-job training)
- Zero tuition for those who qualify ($5,000 value)
- Competitive pay & benefits
- Great home time depending on region
- Consistent miles depending on region
- Late model equipment
- Top 25% of drivers average $80,300 yearly!
- OTR drivers earn from $.53 to $.56 per mile
- Health/vision/dental/life insurance + 401(k)
- No cost rider policy
- Pet policy (2 dogs or cats)
- Guaranteed detention pay
- Top 25% of drivers average $82,000 per year!
- Drivers earn from $.52 to $.55 per practical mile
- Flatbed drivers earn an additional $.06 per mile (loaded)
- Stop-off and breakdown pay
- Safety & productivity bonuses
- Full benefits + rider/pet policy
- $3,000 referral bonus!
- Drivers earn $.36 to $.49 per mile (+6 CPM bonus)
- OTR drivers average 2,700-3,000 miles weekly
- OTR Team drivers average 1,000 miles daily
- Regional drivers average 2,500-2,900 miles weekly
- Health/dental/vision insurance + 401(k) savings plan
- $1,000 orientation pay!
- OTR drivers start at 50 CPM on all miles
- $1,200 weekly pay protection plan
- $.04 per mile monthly productivity bonus
- $.02 per mile quarterly safety bonus
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k) match
- Drivers earn up to $.52 per mile (DOE)
- Qualify for medical 1st day of employment
- 401(k) retirement plan
- No NYC & No Canada runs
- 100% no-touch freight
- Rider & pet programs
- $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Competitive hourly pay
- Drivers average $1,510 weekly
- Daily home time
- No-touch freight
- Medical/dental/vision insurance + 401(k)
- $800 per week paid CDL training program!
- Flatbed drivers average $55,000-$65,000 yearly!
- Flatbed drivers start at $.48 per mile (180 days solo exp)
- Dedicated drivers start at $.42 per mile (180 days solo exp)
- Weekly home time for flatbed and dedicated drivers
- Medical/dental/vision/prescription benefits + 401(k)
- Drivers earn up to $.50 per mile
- Drivers average 2,800-3,400 miles per week
- Empty miles/layovers/detention are all paid
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- 100% no-touch freight
- Late model tractors
- 6 week paid CDL training for students/trainees
- Lease purchase drivers can earn $.90 per mile (dispatched)
- Health/vision/dental insurance + 401(k)
- No forced dispatch
- 100% no-touch freight
- Riders & pets allowed
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Paid training & orientation for students/trainees
- Solo drivers can earn 55 CPM with $.05 bonus
- Team drivers can earn 70 CPM with $.05 bonus
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Guaranteed detention/stop/layover/breakdown pay
- $40,000 TEAMING BONUS for OTR CDL-A DRIVERS!
- PAID HazMat endorsement if you don't have one
- HazMat team drivers earn $.52 to $.56 cents per mile
- $1,000 weekly pay guarantee for HazMat drivers
- Covenant team matching program can team you up
- Home time guarantee!
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Top drivers earn $90,000 to $100,000+ yearly!
- Tank drivers can earn up to $2,000 weekly!
- Home often during the week
- Paid orientation & paid training
- Excellent company benefits after 30 days
- Paid training program for students/trainees
- Paid weekly with direct deposit
- Medical/vision/dental insurance + 401-k
- Paid life insurance
- Paid vacations & holidays
- Referral bonuses
- Home every night or weekend (if preferred)
- No forced dispatch
- No-touch freight
- HazMat paid on each HazMat load
- Paid weekly with direct deposit
- Referral & roadside inspection bonuses
- Many drivers net $2,000 per week!
- Paid 75% of earnings!
- Paid orientation
- Direct deposit
- FREE fuel card
- Rider policy available
- $500 SIGN-ON BONUS on first paycheck!
- New pay package starting at $.55 per mile!
- Drivers average 2,600-2,800 miles per week!
- Detention/layover/syop pay
- Weekly pay with direct deposit
- $1,500 driver referral bonus
- Drivers receive top pay rates
- Frequent home time
- 100% paid employee health insurance
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Paid vacations & paid holidays
- Seniority/ & clean roadside inspection bonuses
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS for solo drivers!
- Dedicated route drivers earn $1,150 per week
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS & $1,500/week (HazMat/Tanker)
- $8,000 SIGN-ON BONUS for teams!
- Team drivers earn up to $1,500 per week
- Consistent miles
- Solo drivers & teams welcome!
- No-touch freight (mostly drop & hook)
- Sign-on bonus & vacation pay
- Paid weekly & no HazMat
- Detention/breakdown/layover pay
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance
- OTR drivers can now earn up to 50 CPM base pay
- Drivers are home EVERY weekend!
- Pet & rider policy
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Monthly safety bonus
- Quarterly driver retention bonus
- $1,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Competitive pay
- Drivers can get up to 3,000 miles per week
- Safety/mileage/fuel/referral bonuses
- Layout pay
- Brand new efficient equipment
- Hiring OTR owner operators and regional drivers
- Dry van and reefers
- Driver starting pay is $.47 per mile
- Owner operators take 90% of load
- Flexible home time - always restart 34 at home
- Excellent benefits package
- 100% Owner operator
- HOME ON THE WEEKENDS
- Drivers get paid 72% to 80% of gross
- Limited deadhead (most average less than 12%)
- Health insurance plan
- Rider program
- Midwest regional drivers average of $76,000/year or more!
- Southeast regional drivers average $60,000/year or more!
- ALL G&D drivers are home weekly or more!
- No-touch freight (drop & hook only)
- 9 vacation days your first year after 90 days
- Great benefits including health insurance + 401(k) savings
- Owner operators receive 75% of line haul revenue
- 100% fuel surcharge
- $1,000 driver referral bonus
- 24/7 maintenance support
- Great benefits
- Roadside safety incentive
- OTR drivers average 2,800 to 3,200 miles per week!
- 100% no-touch freight & no NYC
- No forced dispatch & paid detention
- Extra drop & pickup pay & paid all miles
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance
- Pet & rider friendly
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS & paid orientation!
- Solos get paid 60 cents per mile (loaded/empty/bobtailing)!
- Teams get paid 80 cents per mile (loaded/empty/bobtailing)!
- Guaranteed 3,000 miles/week - Brand new fleet (automatic)!
- Drivers get paid an additional $350 per load to Canada
- Free dental & vision insurance
- Owner/Operator Fleet
- $2.11 per mile average!
- Most shipments are drop and hook
- Lightweight shipments (15-25k lbs average)
- Fuel Surcharge covering most/all of your fuel costs
- Medical/dental/life Insurance & 401-k match
Specialized Services Logistics, LLC
- $500 sign-on bonus and $100 orientation pay!
- 48-55 cents per mile depending on experience!
- 2500-2900 miles per week & out 2 weeks at a time
- 99% no-touch freight
- $1,500 driver referral bonus
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Drivers average $1,000-$1,450 weekly!
- Dedicated routes with Monday-Friday work!
- No-touch, mostly drop-and-hook freight!
- 10 paid holidays and paid time off
- Medical/dental/vision/life/disability & 401(k) company match
- Route & detention pay & bonuses based on driving performance
- Drivers earn up to $90,000 or more annually!
- Average 2,300 miles/week (potential for 3,000+ miles/week)!
- Most of our freight is drop and hook!
- Fleet of well-maintained Freightliners, Volvos & Peterbilts
- Full benefits available after 60 days of employment
- Pet/rider policy from very first day. Two-day paid orientation
- Drivers get paid $0.60-0.70 per mile DOE!
- Average 3,000 miles per week!
- We pay for all miles that are driven!
- New 2022 Volvo 860’s/Freightliners/Kenworth tractors
- Referral bonuses & perfect DOT inspection bonus
- Drivers paid weekly through direct deposit
- Solo drivers average $60,000 – $90,000+ per year!
- Teams average $80,000 – $100,000+ per year!
- 100% no-touch freight & practical miles paid!
- Earn up to 3 weeks paid vacation
- Health/dental/vision/paid holidays & 401-k company match
- Newer Freightliner Cascadia trucks (APUs/inverters/refrigerators)
- Drivers average $70,000 to $80,000 annually!
- Experienced drivers can start at 52 cents per mile!
- Average 3,000+ miles driven weekly with $.05/mile bounces!
- No New York City routes & no cost pet/rider policy
- Health/dental/vision/life/short-term disability & 401-k match
- Paid vacation & mileage/fuel/en route bonuses
- Drivers get paid 70 CPM or 25% of gross!
- Hiring solo CDL class A OTR drivers!
- Hiring team CDL class A OTR drivers!
- New equipment
- Must have a clean MVR & 2 years of driving experience
- Owner/Operators can earn up to $10,000k+ gross/week!
- FREE next day pay with no factoring fees!
- Fuel card provided – up to $0.30/gallon discount at Pilot Flying J!
- 24/7 support- we do all the paperwork/dispatching/billing
- Liability insurance
- Get paid for every load hauled by a driver you refer!
- Drivers average 2,500+ miles per week!
- Weekly home time (regional & dedicated options)!
- 100% no-touch freight!
- Round trips & average length of haul is 850 miles
- Medical/dental/vision & 401-k company match
- Vacation & holiday pay
- $2,500 sign-on bonus & yearly/quarterly bonuses as well!
- Solos start at 60 CPM & average 3,000+ miles/wk all miles paid!
- Teams start at 75 CPM & average 5,000+ miles/wk all miles paid!
- Company paid life & long-term disability insurance & 401-k plan
- 2 wks vacation/holiday pay & detention/layover/breakdown pay
- 100% no-touch freight & 2020+ Volvo/Freightliners/Peterbilts
- Drivers are guaranteed $1,800+ weekly!
- Drivers are paid weekly!
- Holiday pay & paid time off !
- No New York City runs
- No Northeast runs
- Incentive pay
- New drivers earn .53 CPM (including $.03 for oversize loads)
- $400 orientation pay/$25 stop pay/$50 tarp pay
- Newer equipment (automatics available)
- Home every other weekend & rider/pet policy
- Medical/dental/vision insurance & 401(k) match
- Students Welcome – No Experience Required!
- Drivers earn an annual salary of $85,000
- Starting pay up to 65 CPM (top pay at 70 CPM)!
- Paid orientation & 2 CPM increase after 90 days!
- Drivers average 2,500 to 3,000+ miles per week!
- Health/dental/vision/life & 401-k company match
- Pet/rider policy & additional pay opportunities
- Drivers average $77,000+ annually!
- New $1,000 weekly minimum!
- Consistent home time & 100% no-touch freight!
- 7 paid holidays – $150.00 per day
- Medical/dental/vision/pharmacy/disability & 401-k match
- Per diem pay program with $0.08 per diem & zero admin fees!
- $5,000 sign-on bonus & $1,000 referral bonus!
- Drivers make up to $75,000+ annually!
- 2,800 miles per week & rates paid on ALL miles!
- New & late model equipment - Kenworth trucks
- Medical/dental/vision/paid vacation & 401-k match
- Generous home time
Dedicated Transportation Solutions
- $19 per hour + $12 per stop!
- Drivers are guaranteed $1,150 per week!
- Daily home time (work Sunday thru Friday)
- Medical/dental/vision & 401-k company match
- Paid time off & paid holidays
- Quality equipment
- Drivers make $65,000-$100,000 annually!
- Health insurance (Aflac)
- 401-k with company match
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Family oriented & a fun work environment
Getting Your CDL in Order to Work for Trucking Companies in Kentucky
In order to be employed at truck driving jobs in KY, you must get your Commercial Drivers License (CDL). The first step in doing so is to obtain your Kentucky Commercial Learners Permit (CLP).
You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a CLP. The requirements for getting a CLP include having a Kentucky Class D driver’s license for at least one year, providing a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card that is under two years old, and proving that you are a United States citizen and a permanent resident of Kentucky. You will then be required to pay the required fees and have a passing score on the CDL general knowledge exam. Once you have met all of these requirements, you will be issued a CLP.
What do the trucking companies in Kentucky require of their drivers?
Kentucky truck driving companies pride themselves in performance, safety, and customer satisfaction. For these reasons, applicants must meet or exceed certain hiring requirements. Although these requirements are not the same for every trucking company, most are very similar.
Common hiring requirements for Kentucky trucking companies include one or more of the following:
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Must have a Kentucky Class A driver’s license
- 6 months over-the-road (OTR) driving experience preferred
- No more than three moving violations within the last 3 years
Kentucky Truck Driving Salary and Benefits
Most Kentucky trucking companies require little to no experience to get started in this field. This means you can be making a good wage at truck driving jobs in KY without any certifications or any college education. The pay and benefits are one aspect of this career that attracts many people from all walks of life.
On average, according to data collected by the United States Department of Labor, trucking companies in Kentucky pay their truck drivers somewhat less than the national average for this career field. As of 2016, trucking jobs in KY compensated truck drivers between $25,770 and $62,140 per year, with the median income of a truck or tractor-trailer driver being $40,270. Nationally, truck drivers make between $26,900 and $63,100 each year with a median income of $41,340.
The trucking companies in Kentucky advertise that truck drivers have the potential to earn between $63,000 and $85,000 annually. Other trucking companies in Kentucky pay solo drivers up to $1,200 per week and team drivers up to $2,800 per week split.
In addition to a reliable salary, many truck driving jobs in KY provide sign-on bonuses of up to $10,000. Other bonuses that you may be able to earn include referral bonuses, retention bonuses, and safety bonuses.
Kentucky trucking companies often offer the following benefits:
- Paid vacation
- Paid orientation
- Weekly spending allowances
- High tech trucks that are less than two years old
- Predictable home time
- Never a slow season
- Fuel and tire discount programs
- Pet and rider programs
- Up to 3,000 miles weekly
- 24/7 dispatch
- Quarterly safety awards
- Health, Dental, Prescription, Vision and Life Insurance
- 401K Match
- Discount employee stock purchase program
Kentucky Taxes and Cost of Living
In order to accurately determine the salary you need and how much money you will make, you also need to take a look at the cost of living expenses in Kentucky. Local and state taxes will also make a different in how much of your pay you take home.
Typical living expenses in Kentucky for a household of one adult and no children are $21,145 before standard wage deductions. The same expenses for a household with two adults and two children in Kentucky are $61,893. Out of all 50 states and Washington D.C., Kentucky is ranked #14 for the highest average state and local tax with a rate of 12.01%.
If you are simply employed by one of the many trucking companies in Kentucky, you will have your fuel paid for by your employer. However, if you choose to become an owner-operator, you are responsible for paying for your own diesel fuel. This means that you should pay attention to diesel prices, knowing they can impact how much money you make at the end of the day. As of May 2017, the national average for a gallon of diesel fuel is $2.338, while in Kentucky the price is somewhat less at $2.260 per gallon.
Driving Conditions for Truck Drivers in Kentucky
While there are many benefits to truck driving jobs in KY, there are also some drawbacks, such as road and weather conditions. A large portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains are located in this state, which can make for steep driving grades and create the potential for mechanical or brake issues.
Winter weather here can also impact the safety and efficiency of those working in truck driving jobs in Kentucky. Most areas of Kentucky will see at least some snowfall throughout the winter months, making it imperative that truck drivers have experience driving on snowy or icy roads with limited visibility.
On the bright side, truck drivers in Kentucky will not usually have to deal with temperatures above 90 degrees. They will also not have to deal with congested or slow traffic unless they are driving through a heavily populated area such as Frankfort or Louisville.
Expected Growth for Truck Driving Jobs in KY
Between 2014 and 2024, the United States Department of Labor expects a slightly higher than average rate of growth for truck driving jobs in KY, when compared with the same career across other states. Kentucky is expected to have an 8% growth with nearly 2,000 additional truck driving jobs in KY by the year 2024. In the U.S., jobs for people driving heavy and tractor-trailers are expected to grow by 40,450 between 2014 and 2024, which represents a 6% growth overall.