The average salary for a Truck Driver in Chicago is 59,767 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 4,981 $ gross per month and 28.73 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 34,000 $ to 111,111 $. The analysis is based on 35 salary reports from workers and employers in Chicago. Part-time salaries are proportionally converted to 40 weekly hours so the values are comparable.
| Date | Job title | Weekly hours | Reported gross/year | Normalized to 40h/year | Gross/month 40h | Gross/hour 40h | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/10/2026 | Part-Time Local Driver | 30.0 h | 30,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I work part time doing local runs and supplement my household income. My hourly rate is competitive for part-time work which makes the annual gross higher than before. |
| 03/27/2026 | CDL Instructor | 40.0 h | 70,000 $ | 70,000 $ | 5,833 $ | 33.65 $ | I teach CDL candidates full time and handle both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. The demand for drivers raised instructor pay in recent years. |
| 01/20/2026 | Regional Driver (Lead) | 42.0 h | 82,000 $ | 78,095 $ | 6,508 $ | 37.55 $ | I lead a small group of drivers while still running regional lanes myself. The lead responsibilities and senior pay scale account for the higher annual salary. |
| 09/12/2025 | Owner-Operator (Flatbed) | 45.0 h | 125,000 $ | 111,111 $ | 9,259 $ | 53.42 $ | I run a flatbed as an owner-operator hauling heavy equipment across regions. Specialized loads and tight markets in 2025 pushed my gross revenue up considerably. |
| 04/30/2025 | Local Beverage Truck Driver | 40.0 h | 60,000 $ | 60,000 $ | 5,000 $ | 28.85 $ | I drive a beverage truck locally with early mornings and frequent stops. The role has steady tips and a decent hourly rate that boosted my annual pay. |
| 01/08/2025 | Long-Haul Team Driver | 44.0 h | 95,000 $ | 86,364 $ | 7,197 $ | 41.52 $ | As part of a professional two-person team we maximize miles and deliver faster; the team setup and higher-paying lanes made my gross earnings much better in 2025. |
| 11/02/2024 | Safety & Training Lead (Former Driver) | 40.0 h | 88,000 $ | 88,000 $ | 7,333 $ | 42.31 $ | I transitioned from driving into a safety and training lead role overseeing drivers and compliance. The position is salaried and pays more than driving alone. |
| 06/21/2024 | Dock-to-Door Driver (Small Fleet) | 38.0 h | 52,000 $ | 54,737 $ | 4,561 $ | 26.32 $ | I work dock-to-door local runs for a small fleet. The job requires flexibility and some heavy lifting, but I prefer the consistent hours. |
| 02/14/2024 | Regional Linehaul Driver | 40.0 h | 76,000 $ | 76,000 $ | 6,333 $ | 36.54 $ | I run regional linehaul lanes and have built seniority; increased freight rates and tight driver supply improved pay over the last two years. |
| 10/03/2023 | Owner-Operator (Specialized Freight) | 45.0 h | 110,000 $ | 97,778 $ | 8,148 $ | 47.01 $ | I specialize in high-value specialized freight and operate as an owner-operator. Rates jumped in recent years, lifting my gross revenue significantly. |
| 05/27/2023 | Local Driver (Large Corporation) | 40.0 h | 58,000 $ | 58,000 $ | 4,833 $ | 27.88 $ | I drive for a large carrier on local routes. Benefits and steady contract work improved total compensation compared with smaller outfits. |
| 01/18/2023 | Long-Haul Driver (Experienced) | 42.0 h | 72,000 $ | 68,571 $ | 5,714 $ | 32.97 $ | With years of over-the-road experience I take longer solo lanes that pay better. I often pick up extra miles which raises my annual gross. |
| 12/01/2022 | Private Owner-Operator (Seasonal Freight) | 40.0 h | 90,000 $ | 90,000 $ | 7,500 $ | 43.27 $ | I run my own truck on seasonal contracts hauling high-demand freight; income varies by season but 2022 was strong for me. |
| 09/29/2022 | Part-Time Shuttle Driver | 25.0 h | 22,000 $ | 35,200 $ | 2,933 $ | 16.92 $ | I work part time moving shuttle loads between a couple of terminals to supplement household income. My weekly hours are generally around 25. |
| 06/05/2022 | CDL A Driver (Regional, Mid) | 40.0 h | 62,000 $ | 62,000 $ | 5,167 $ | 29.81 $ | I handle regional linehaul routes and have a few years' experience. Market pressures and driver shortages pushed compensation up in 2022. |
| 02/10/2022 | Team Long-Haul Driver | 45.0 h | 88,000 $ | 78,222 $ | 6,519 $ | 37.61 $ | I drive in a two-person team for cross-country runs; the schedule is intense but pays well with higher mileage rates in recent years. |
| 11/30/2021 | Fleet Supervisor (Promoted from Driver) | 42.0 h | 73,000 $ | 69,524 $ | 5,794 $ | 33.42 $ | I was promoted to fleet supervisor after years as a driver; I now coordinate routes and mentor drivers. The role is salaried and requires extra hours. |
| 07/14/2021 | Local Delivery Driver (Night Shift) | 38.0 h | 42,000 $ | 44,211 $ | 3,684 $ | 21.26 $ | I work the night shift on local deliveries to avoid daytime traffic. Hours are full time and the shift premium helps my earnings a bit. |
| 03/22/2021 | Regional Driver (Senior) | 40.0 h | 60,000 $ | 60,000 $ | 5,000 $ | 28.85 $ | I've been a regional driver for eight years and take on more complex routes. My pay reflects seniority and consistent performance. |
| 09/15/2020 | Owner-Operator (Independent) | 45.0 h | 78,000 $ | 69,333 $ | 5,778 $ | 33.33 $ | I run my own authority and primarily take regional contracts. 2020 was a busy year for freight and my gross went up, though expenses are high. |
| 02/29/2020 | Short-Haul Driver (Grocery) | 40.0 h | 46,000 $ | 46,000 $ | 3,833 $ | 22.12 $ | I do short-haul grocery deliveries around the city. Hours are steady but the role is demanding and pay improved slightly during 2020. |
| 11/11/2019 | Relay Driver (Airport Cargo) | 36.0 h | 49,000 $ | 54,444 $ | 4,537 $ | 26.18 $ | I handle relay runs for airport cargo; hours are typically shorter shifts and the schedule is predictable. I was promoted internally from dock work. |
| 08/30/2019 | Long-Haul Driver (Solo) | 42.0 h | 56,000 $ | 53,333 $ | 4,444 $ | 25.64 $ | I run solo long-haul routes and often work extra hours away from home. The pay increased as diesel and freight rates rose during my tenure. |
| 04/14/2019 | Regional Driver (Mid-Level) | 40.0 h | 47,000 $ | 47,000 $ | 3,917 $ | 22.60 $ | I've been doing regional hauls for a couple of years. Pay has inched up with experience but it's still in the mid-range for our market. |
| 02/12/2019 | Over-the-Road Driver (Entry-Level) | 40.0 h | 38,000 $ | 38,000 $ | 3,167 $ | 18.27 $ | I took an over-the-road position as my first full-time driving job. The long stretches away from home meant lower pay compared to some experienced drivers. |
| 12/05/2018 | CDL Instructor / Trainer | 40.0 h | 54,000 $ | 54,000 $ | 4,500 $ | 25.96 $ | I train new drivers and run behind the wheel instruction alongside classroom work. I moved from driving into training for more predictable hours and slightly higher pay. |
| 10/22/2018 | Local Truck Driver (Small Business) | 38.0 h | 37,000 $ | 38,947 $ | 3,246 $ | 18.72 $ | I drive for a small family-run fleet on residential and small-business deliveries. I'm full time but still considered entry to mid-level with limited benefits. |
| 06/18/2018 | Intermodal Driver | 40.0 h | 45,000 $ | 45,000 $ | 3,750 $ | 21.63 $ | I move containers between rail yards and local warehouses. Work is steady but the pay was lower earlier in my tenure compared with current market rates. |
| 03/06/2018 | Cold-Chain Delivery Driver | 40.0 h | 43,000 $ | 43,000 $ | 3,583 $ | 20.67 $ | I handle refrigerated grocery deliveries within the metro area. It's a physically demanding 40-hour job and pay was modest when I started. |
| 09/18/2017 | Owner-Operator (Independent) | 45.0 h | 68,000 $ | 60,444 $ | 5,037 $ | 29.06 $ | I operate as an owner-operator running regional loads out of Chicago. I manage my own schedule and maintenance, so the gross looks higher but expenses are significant. |
| 05/10/2017 | Long-Haul Driver (Team) | 38.0 h | 48,000 $ | 50,526 $ | 4,211 $ | 24.29 $ | I run long-haul team runs and split driving with a partner. I'm still early in my career and work nights and weekends regularly. |
| 12/20/2016 | Part-Time Shuttle Driver | 20.0 h | 20,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I work part time doing short shuttle runs between terminals. I typically do about 20 hours a week and appreciate the flexibility while I finish school. |
| 11/04/2016 | Regional Truck Driver | 40.0 h | 42,000 $ | 42,000 $ | 3,500 $ | 20.19 $ | I drive regional routes out of Chicago and have been with a small fleet for three years. The work is steady but pay was lower when I started and has only increased modestly. |
| 09/25/2016 | Hazmat-Certified Driver | 40.0 h | 48,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I carry hazardous materials on regional routes and got hazmat certification two years ago. The pay is slightly better due to the endorsement and safety requirements. |
| 07/15/2016 | Local Delivery Driver (Entry-Level) | 40.0 h | 34,000 $ | 34,000 $ | 2,833 $ | 16.35 $ | I work full time on a local delivery route; I'm relatively new to the profession and handle city deliveries and unloading. I've been here about a year and get steady hours but no supervisory duties. |
Chicago remains one of North America’s most important freight hubs, and truck drivers in the Chicago, Illinois area benefit from a steady flow of freight tied to rail, air, and warehousing activity. With major interstates converging here and a dense network of distribution centers across the suburbs, hiring demand for CDL drivers typically stays resilient throughout the year, with peak surges tied to retail seasons and construction months.
Local employers often seek drivers for a mix of roles: city pickup and delivery, intermodal drayage to and from rail ramps, regional dedicated routes for retailers and food distributors, and long-haul operations serving national networks. Endorsements such as hazmat or tanker can open additional doors, especially around chemical and fuel corridors on the South Side and into Northwest Indiana. Winter weather driving and tight urban docking are common realities, so companies in Chicago generally value experience with city routes, safe operation on tollways, and familiarity with e-logs and modern telematics.
The broader Chicagoland economy supports a diverse transportation and logistics footprint. The I-55, I-80, I-90/94, I-88, and I-294 corridors connect major warehouse clusters in Will, DuPage, and Cook Counties. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet and Elwood, anchored by BNSF’s Logistics Park Chicago and Union Pacific’s Global IV, generates consistent drayage and regional haul opportunities. Multiple Class I railroads operate intermodal ramps around Bedford Park, Harvey, and other suburbs, reinforcing demand for local container moves.
Air cargo through O’Hare International Airport, along with operations at Midway, contributes to time-sensitive freight that feeds LTL and parcel carriers. The Illinois International Port District on the Calumet corridor provides additional industrial freight flows that can require specialized endorsements and security credentials. Employers in the metro area commonly note ongoing needs for reliable drivers, reflecting national industry trends and the region’s concentration of shippers in e-commerce, food distribution, consumer goods, and manufacturing.
Hiring patterns often vary by segment. LTL carriers recruit for city P&D and linehaul, intermodal fleets look for drivers comfortable with railyard procedures and chassis work, and dedicated private fleets emphasize on-time delivery and customer service at specific accounts. Seasonal construction and roadwork generally boost demand for dump, flatbed, and materials hauling during warmer months.
Chicago hosts many recognizable carriers and private fleets that hire truck drivers. Examples include:
In addition, numerous regional drayage firms and dedicated contract carriers support the intermodal ecosystem. Many employers partner with local CDL schools and regularly post openings for experienced drivers as well as newer CDL holders who meet safety and training requirements.
Truck drivers in Chicago can choose among local daytime P&D, night linehaul between terminals, regional out-and-back lanes across the Midwest, intermodal drayage tied to railyards, and over-the-road roles covering national networks. Specialized niches include tanker, reefer, flatbed for steel and building materials, and foodservice delivery that emphasizes customer service and physical unloading.
Common credentials that can expand options include hazmat (H), tanker (N or X), and a TWIC card for secured maritime or industrial facilities. Familiarity with intermodal procedures, appointment-based docks, winter driving, and operating on the Illinois Tollway system is valued. With experience, drivers can move into lead driver or trainer roles, become yard hostlers, or transition to dispatch, planning, safety, or terminal operations. Some pursue owner-operator or leased-on arrangements, especially in intermodal and regional freight where consistent lanes are available.
Because the Chicago market serves a wide cross-section of shippers—from global importers to local manufacturers—drivers typically find opportunities that match different home-time preferences and equipment types. For those looking to build a long-term career in trucking, Chicago’s mix of carriers, third-party logistics firms, and private fleets provides a broad platform for advancement and specialization.
The average salary for a Truck Driver in Chicago is 59,767 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 4,981 $ gross per month.
Part-time and full-time reports are normalized to a 40-hour workweek so salary reports can be compared fairly.
You can find more comparisons on the profession overview for Truck Driver and the city overview for Chicago. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.
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