Truck Driving Jobs in NC
Apply for CDL Jobs in North Carolina
Trucking companies in NC will be hiring truck drivers at a rate that is faster than the national average through 2024. A truck drivers’ job market with increased wages is being created by the economy as well as an aging workforce. If you would prefer a job that allows you to see the country instead of sitting in an office all day, truck driving jobs in NC can offer just that.
- 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!
- $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
- 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
- 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
- $5,000 sign-on bonus for experienced drivers!
- $10,000 split bonus for experienced team drivers!
- Top drivers earn more than $70,000 per year!
- CDL-A drivers earn up to $.47 per mile
- Teams can earn up to $.70 per mile (split)
- Steady year round freight with weekly pay up to $1,200
- 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!
- $10,000 5 year seniority bonus!
- Solo drivers start out at $.42 per mile base pay
- Teams can earn up to $.50 per mile (split)
- Health/vision/dental/disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- $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
- $3,500 SIGN-ON BONUS for company drivers!
- Great home time
- Local/regional/dedicated/OTR runs available
- Weekly pay with direct deposit
- Driver referral & safety bonuses
- Pet & rider policy
- Paid CDL training available
- Tuition reimbursement offered for new trainees
- Solo drivers can earn a bonus of $.05 per mile
- $500 referral bonus for experienced drivers
- Pet and rider policy programs
- Great benefits
- 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
- Competitive pay
- Bonus potential
- Company-paid orientation
- Quarterly safety bonus
- Health/dental/life/disability insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flatbed solos can earn $64,000 yearly (54 CPM)
- Flatbed teams can earn $74,000 yearly (34 CPM)
- $1,000 raise upon annual review
- Stop/tarp/layover/detention/breakdown pay
- Major medical insurance + 401(k) savings plan
- Orientation pay (about $540 gross)
- Regional flatbed drivers can average 55 CPM
- Local flatbed drivers can average 65 CPM
- Team drivers can now earn up to 27 CPM each
- Up to $.03 per mile in performance bonuses weekly
- Medical/dental/vision/supplemental insurance
- Up to $7,000 in tuition reimbursement
- 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
- Competitive pay
- Excellent benefits
- Consistent miles
- Well-maintained equipment
- Great home time
- Apply today!
- 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
- Owner operators are welcome
- Competitive pay
- Excellent benefits
- Great home time
- Lease purchase program
- Buy your truck after 4 years
- $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
- Drivers average $60,000 to $80,000 yearly!
- Weekly pay with direct deposit
- Stop/layover/detention/breakdown pay
- Annual safety bonuses
- Paid holidays & vacations
- Excellent well maintained equipment
- Drivers can earn up to $68,000 per year
- Drive 1,000 to 1,500 mile radius from your hub
- Enjoy weekly home time
- Rewards for clean roadside inspections
- Detention pay
- Excellent benefits
- 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
- QUARTERLY BONUS UP TO $3,000 PER YEAR!
- Dry van drivers can earn up to $.46 per mile (DOE)
- Flatbed drivers can earn up to $.51 per mile (DOE)
- Home on the weekends and some weeknights!
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (avg. 8 CPM yearly)
- Health/dental/life/disability insurance + 401(k)
- $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
- Company drivers average $110,000 gross yearly
- Owner operators average $280,000 gross yearly
- Flexible home time
- Paid weekly with direct deposit
- Pet & passenger policy
- Safety performance bonuses
- $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)
- $4,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Home after every shift
- Full benefits package
- Medical/dental insurance + 401(k)
- Paid vacation & paid holidays
- Monthly safety bonus
- Competitive pay
- Excellent benefits
- Consistent miles
- Well-maintained equipment
- May be required to work overtime
- May be required to work weekends
- 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
- $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
- 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
- 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 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
- $3,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Owner/Operators earn 27%-29% DOE!
- Flexible home time & lost time compensation!
- Equipment is only 3 years old or newer
- Health insurance for driver & spouse (up to 50%)
- 24/7 support & monthly safety/performance bonuses
- Drivers start at $78,000 annually!
- Hiring OTR, regional, solo and team drivers!
- Guaranteed home time & weekly pay!
- Quarterly bonus incentive
- Well-maintained equipment (manual & automatic)
- Drivers must have a HazMat Endorsement
- $3,000 sign-on bonus for owner/operator solos!
- $6,000 sign-on bonus for owner/operator teams!
- Drivers average $1.05 to $1.75 per mile plus FSC!
- 99.92% no-touch freight & no forced dispatch
- Medical/dental/vision/life (disability also available)
- Safety roadside incentive program (up to $0.05/mile)
Getting Your CDL in Order to Work for Trucking Companies in NC
Whether you are searching for CDL jobs in Charlotte, truck driving jobs in Raleigh, trucking jobs in Greensboro, or local home daily CDL jobs in Durham, North Carolina, you are first required to have your Commercial Drivers License (CDL). To get your CDL, you must first obtain your North Carolina Commercial Learners Permit (CLP). Part of this process includes successfully passing the CDL General Knowledge written test.
Once you have your CLP and feel you are ready, you can take the CDL driving test. This test is your opportunity to show that you meet all the safety requirements necessary to get hired by trucking companies in North Carolina. You will also have the option to take additional tests at this time in order to earn endorsements on your CDL such as Doubles and Triples, Tank Vehicles, and HazMat. These endorsements allow you to drive a variety of big rigs.
What do the trucking companies in NC require of their drivers?
All trucking companies in North Carolina set certain hiring requirements in place for all of their applicants. Hiring requirements uphold the regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and company policies. Although these requirements are not the same for every company, they are usually similar.
Here are some hiring requirements you may come across as you apply for truck driving jobs in NC:
- Must have a Class A CDL
- Must be 21 or older to apply
- No DUI in the past 5 years
- Have no more than 2 moving violations within the last 3 years
- Have no more than 2 preventable accidents within the last 3 years
- Have at least 3 months flatbed experience (flatbed jobs only)
- At least 6 months of over-the-road (OTR) driving experience preferred
North Carolina Truck Driving Salary and Benefits
Salary and benefits are a major deciding factor for most people when it comes to accepting CDL jobs in North Carolina. Even if you are truly passionate about being a truck driver, a salary that is lower than expected or needed can cause you to seek other employment.
The trucking companies in NC pay their truck drivers slightly less than the national average for this career field. As of 2016, most truck driving jobs in NC provided truck drivers with a salary between $25,780 and $61,240 per year. The median income of those working for North Carolina trucking companies was $39,410. Nationally, truck drivers will make between $26,900 and $63,100 annually with a median income of $41,340, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Most trucking companies in North Carolina advertise an average starting salary of $60,000. However, this can be increased if you have a special endorsement on your CDL. Being able to drive Doubles and Triples, HazMat or Tank Vehicles will make you more marketable and can increase your job security.
Additionally, you can earn several different types of bonuses from truck driving jobs in NC. If you are moving, you may qualify for a relocation bonus. If you sign-on or stay with the company for a set amount of time, you may earn a sign-on or retention bonus. You can also refer other qualified truck drivers and be rewarded with a referral bonus. These bonuses usually start at about $1,000 and go all the way up to $10,000.
North Carolina truck driving companies usually offer at least some of the following benefits:
- Company-paid life insurance
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Safety reward programs
- Paid vacations
- Consistent home time
- Pet and rider programs
- Late model fleet
- Frequent pay raises
- Tuition reimbursement programs
- Paid training and orientation
- 24″ flat screen TV and DVR in trucks
- Over 100 channels including HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and NFL Sunday Ticket
North Carolina Taxes and Cost of Living
In addition to the salary and benefits offered, if you accept any of the available CDL jobs in North Carolina, you will also need to research local taxes and the cost of living. In certain areas of the United States, these can make your salary more or less desirable.
Typical living expenses for an adult without dependents in North Carolina is $22,792 before standard wage deductions. The same expenses for a household with two adults and two dependents are $62,465. Out of all 50 states and our nation’s capital, North Carolina ranks in the middle at #25 for the lowest state and local tax with a rate of 10.63%.
Fuel prices are something you will need to keep an eye on and factor into your work expenses if you partner with any of the trucking companies in NC as an owner-operator. As of May 2017, the national average price for a gallon of diesel fuel is $2.371, while in North Carolina the price is at $2.212. Remember that the prices of fuel will vary depending upon your location in the country, the time of year, and various international and political issues.
Driving Conditions for Truck Drivers in North Carolina
Unfortunately, just like other jobs, truck driving jobs in North Carolina are not without their drawbacks. One major drawback can be driving conditions. More specifically, traffic congestion, mountainous terrain, and rain.
As a truck driver employed by trucking companies in North Carolina, you will need to be prepared to drive up long inclines and down steep downgrades, like the ones found on Black Mountain on the I-40, or the ones stretching over “The Gorge”. You will also need to feel comfortable driving in heavy rains during certain months.
Depending on where you are driving, heavy traffic may be a problem as well, creating long delays that can cost you both time and money. Not only can it increase stress on you but it can also cause extra wear and tear on your truck. The regions in and around heavily populated cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro are known for heavily congested traffic, especially during rush hour.
Expected Growth for Truck Driving Jobs in NC
Between 2014 and 2024, the United States Department of Labor predicts that the growth truck driving jobs in NC will experience will be nearly double that of national rates. North Carolina is expected to see an 11% growth with an additional 1,510 job openings each year. Across the U.S., available employment for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers is expected to grow by 40,450 between 2014 and 2024, which is an overall growth rate of 6%.