The average salary for a Truck Driver in Memphis is 51,877 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 4,323 $ gross per month and 24.94 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 32,000 $ to 84,444 $. The analysis is based on 36 salary reports from workers and employers in Memphis. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/28/2026 | Owner-Operator - Refrigerated Trailer | 44.0 h | 84,000 $ | 76,364 $ | 6,364 $ | 36.71 $ | I own and operate a refrigerated truck and run long regional routes. I'm self-employed, work about 44 hours per week, and the refrigerated market has increased my gross earnings. |
| 05/18/2026 | Local Driver - High Experience | 40.0 h | 62,000 $ | 62,000 $ | 5,167 $ | 29.81 $ | I've been a local driver for over a decade and now handle specialized high-value local routes. It's a full-time 40-hour-per-week job with above-average pay for the market. |
| 03/22/2026 | Dedicated Interstate Driver | 43.0 h | 73,000 $ | 67,907 $ | 5,659 $ | 32.65 $ | I run dedicated interstate lanes with guaranteed weekly miles. I'm full-time and average roughly 43 hours a week; pay reflects the guaranteed miles and experience. |
| 01/15/2026 | Senior Fleet Manager (former driver) | 45.0 h | 88,000 $ | 78,222 $ | 6,519 $ | 37.61 $ | I was promoted from driver to senior fleet manager and oversee a regional fleet. This management position is about 45 hours per week and includes budgeting and scheduling duties. |
| 10/02/2025 | Freight Dispatcher turned Driver (senior) | 40.0 h | 68,000 $ | 68,000 $ | 5,667 $ | 32.69 $ | I moved from dispatch to driving and now run senior dedicated lanes. It's a full-time 40-hour role where my dispatch experience helps with efficiency and pay. |
| 07/11/2025 | Part-Time Weekend Driver | 18.0 h | 18,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I work weekends as a part-time driver doing short-haul deliveries. I average about 18 hours per week and use this job to supplement income. |
| 04/21/2025 | Regional Driver - Hazmat Endorsement | 44.0 h | 72,000 $ | 65,455 $ | 5,455 $ | 31.47 $ | I hold a hazmat endorsement and run regional hazardous material routes. The work is full-time and demanding, averaging about 44 hours per week with higher pay for the endorsement. |
| 01/30/2025 | Owner-Operator (highway) | 45.0 h | 95,000 $ | 84,444 $ | 7,037 $ | 40.60 $ | As a full-time highway owner-operator I manage long runs and often haul higher-paying loads. I work roughly 45 hours per week overseeing routes and maintenance. |
| 11/19/2024 | Driver Lead / Safety Rep | 42.0 h | 65,000 $ | 61,905 $ | 5,159 $ | 29.76 $ | I'm a driver lead and safety representative, splitting time between driving and safety audits. It's a management-adjacent role at about 42 hours per week. |
| 08/09/2024 | Local Delivery - Experienced | 38.0 h | 51,000 $ | 53,684 $ | 4,474 $ | 25.81 $ | I've been on local delivery for over seven years and now handle high-value routes. It's a full-time job averaging 38 hours weekly with overtime during peak seasons. |
| 05/14/2024 | CDL A Driver - Dedicated Route (package) | 40.0 h | 54,000 $ | 54,000 $ | 4,500 $ | 25.96 $ | I drive a dedicated package route with predictable stops. It's a steady full-time job at 40 hours per week and the pay has increased with contract raises. |
| 02/27/2024 | Owner-Operator - Team Owner | 45.0 h | 90,000 $ | 80,000 $ | 6,667 $ | 38.46 $ | I run an owner-operator team, coordinating two drivers and multiple trailers. I work about 45 hours weekly managing operations and taking higher-paying long-haul loads. |
| 11/03/2023 | Regional Driver - Refrigerated | 42.0 h | 59,000 $ | 56,190 $ | 4,683 $ | 27.01 $ | I run regional refrigerated routes and have several years of experience. It's a full-time schedule averaging 42 hours per week with higher pay for the perishable loads. |
| 08/15/2023 | Long-Haul - Specialized Freight | 45.0 h | 65,000 $ | 57,778 $ | 4,815 $ | 27.78 $ | I haul specialized freight that requires special handling and experience. I'm self-employed on some runs and work about 45 hours a week, which commands higher pay. |
| 04/29/2023 | Part-Time Warehouse Shuttle Driver | 20.0 h | 20,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I work part-time shuttling trailers between the warehouse and docks. I average 20 hours weekly and don't handle long-distance routes. |
| 01/10/2023 | Fleet Supervisor (promoted from driver) | 42.0 h | 72,000 $ | 68,571 $ | 5,714 $ | 32.97 $ | I was promoted from driver to fleet supervisor and now oversee routing and a small team. It's a management role at about 42 hours per week with administrative duties. |
| 09/21/2022 | Linehaul Driver (regional) | 42.0 h | 55,000 $ | 52,381 $ | 4,365 $ | 25.18 $ | I'm a linehaul driver moving trailers between terminals. The job is full-time and I average 42 hours per week; wages have risen in the past two years due to demand. |
| 06/06/2022 | Local CDL Driver - Dairy Routes | 40.0 h | 46,000 $ | 46,000 $ | 3,833 $ | 22.12 $ | I run dedicated dairy and food service routes locally. It's a full-time position with consistent 40-hour weeks and early-morning schedules. |
| 02/14/2022 | Owner-Operator (independent) | 45.0 h | 68,000 $ | 60,444 $ | 5,037 $ | 29.06 $ | I'm an independent owner-operator handling refrigerated loads regionally. I work about 45 hours per week and handle all dispatch and maintenance decisions myself. |
| 11/28/2021 | Team Driver (two-person crew) | 44.0 h | 61,000 $ | 55,455 $ | 4,621 $ | 26.66 $ | I drive in a two-person team on long-haul lanes. We split driving but my weekly committed hours come to around 44; team pay is higher due to continuous runs. |
| 07/02/2021 | Flatbed Specialist | 42.0 h | 52,000 $ | 49,524 $ | 4,127 $ | 23.81 $ | I specialize in flatbed freight and have four years of experience in this niche. I'm full-time and average 42 hours weekly because of securement and load prep. |
| 03/17/2021 | CDL A Driver - Regional | 40.0 h | 48,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I run dedicated regional lanes with predictable stops. It's a full-time 40-hour-per-week role with steady pay and benefits that improved over the last two years. |
| 12/10/2020 | Long-Haul Truck Driver - Experienced | 45.0 h | 50,000 $ | 44,444 $ | 3,704 $ | 21.37 $ | I'm an experienced long-haul driver running interstate lanes. I'm full-time and typically log about 45 hours per week including overnight driving and stops. |
| 09/23/2020 | Part-Time Shuttle Driver | 25.0 h | 22,000 $ | 35,200 $ | 2,933 $ | 16.92 $ | I work part-time as a shuttle driver moving trailers between facilities. I average 25 hours per week and handle most of the yard work and short hops. |
| 05/05/2020 | Local Grocery Delivery Driver | 40.0 h | 36,000 $ | 36,000 $ | 3,000 $ | 17.31 $ | I deliver grocery store routes within the city. It's consistent full-time work at 40 hours a week with early morning starts and frequent customer interaction. |
| 11/19/2019 | Driver Trainer / Senior Driver | 40.0 h | 48,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I'm a senior driver who also trains new hires. It's a full-time role with about 40 hours per week and additional responsibility for mentoring and evaluations. |
| 06/30/2019 | Owner-Operator (leased on) | 45.0 h | 52,000 $ | 46,222 $ | 3,852 $ | 22.22 $ | As an owner-operator leased onto larger contracts, I run regional lanes and work about 45 hours per week managing loads, clients, and vehicle upkeep. |
| 02/01/2019 | Regional OTR Truck Driver | 42.0 h | 42,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I've been doing over-the-road regional runs for five years. This full-time role averages roughly 42 hours a week due to loading and enforced rest patterns. |
| 12/14/2018 | Junior CDL Driver | 38.0 h | 33,000 $ | 34,737 $ | 2,895 $ | 16.70 $ | I'm a junior CDL driver; I was hired straight from training and work local and short regional routes. I average 38 hours per week while I build experience. |
| 10/27/2018 | Local Delivery Driver - Nights | 36.0 h | 35,000 $ | 38,889 $ | 3,241 $ | 18.70 $ | I drive night local deliveries in Memphis. The schedule is full-time night shift, about 36 hours weekly, and includes some weekend runs. |
| 04/09/2018 | Freight Hauler - Flatbed | 40.0 h | 37,000 $ | 37,000 $ | 3,083 $ | 17.79 $ | I haul flatbed loads regionally and have been doing this for four years. It's a full-time position with 40 hours per week plus occasional overtime for loading. |
| 12/05/2017 | Owner-Operator (small rig) | 45.0 h | 48,000 $ | 42,667 $ | 3,556 $ | 20.51 $ | I'm a self-employed owner-operator running a single truck. I work about 45 hours a week handling everything from dispatch coordination to maintenance scheduling. |
| 08/15/2017 | Part-Time Local Driver | 20.0 h | 18,000 $ | 36,000 $ | 3,000 $ | 17.31 $ | I work part-time as a local driver delivering retail goods in Memphis. I average about 20 hours per week and do not have supervisory responsibilities. |
| 03/22/2017 | CDL A Driver - Regional | 38.0 h | 34,000 $ | 35,789 $ | 2,982 $ | 17.21 $ | I was hired as an entry-level CDL A regional driver two years ago. My route distances increased over time; I work a standard 38-hour week. |
| 11/03/2016 | Long-Haul Truck Driver | 42.0 h | 36,000 $ | 34,286 $ | 2,857 $ | 16.48 $ | I'm a long-haul driver working regional lanes. This is a full-time driving role and I average about 42 hours per week including waiting time at terminals. |
| 09/12/2016 | Local Delivery Truck Driver | 40.0 h | 32,000 $ | 32,000 $ | 2,667 $ | 15.38 $ | I've worked local delivery routes out of Memphis for three years in a full-time role. I handle route planning, loading/unloading, and occasional lift-gate work. Hours are steady at 40 per week. |
Memphis sits at the center of American freight. The metro combines the Mississippi River, five Class I railroads, an active inland port, intersecting interstates, and one of the world’s busiest cargo airports at Memphis International Airport, home to the FedEx Express World Hub. This multimodal setup creates steady movement of goods through the region and supports ongoing demand for experienced truck drivers across local, regional, and long-haul routes.
Distribution parks along Lamar Avenue (US-78), I-40, I-55, and the I-269 beltway, plus fast-growing logistics clusters in nearby Southaven and Olive Branch, Mississippi, and West Memphis, Arkansas, all feed daily trucking needs. Seasonal retail peaks and parcel surges typically lift demand in the fourth quarter, but many employers in the Memphis area recruit year-round to keep freight moving.
The Memphis labor market for truck drivers is shaped by high freight volumes moving by air, rail, river, and road. Drivers often find opportunities in several niches: LTL pick-up and delivery within the metro, linehaul between regional terminals, intermodal drayage to and from rail ramps, dedicated retail and consumer-goods routes, and specialized work such as flatbed or tanker with the proper endorsements. Interstates I-40 and I-55 make overnight and two-day turns to cities like Nashville, Little Rock, St. Louis, and Dallas feasible, while I-22/US-78 provides a key corridor toward Birmingham and Atlanta.
Even with the industry’s normal freight cycles, Memphis typically remains resilient due to its role as a national distribution gateway. Many carriers emphasize safety records, on-time performance, and customer service, and they frequently consider applicants with CDL-A experience. Some LTL companies in the area also offer dock-to-driver or training pathways that can help newer drivers move into driving roles.
Rail intermodal is a particular strength locally. Major railroads operate area terminals that connect to national networks, and drayage carriers handle container moves between ramps, warehouses, and the International Port of Memphis on the Mississippi River. As large industrial projects in West Tennessee—such as the ongoing BlueOval City development—progress, suppliers and construction activity can add incremental freight, which may support additional trucking needs over time.
Memphis hosts a deep roster of carriers and shippers that regularly hire commercial drivers. Examples include:
In addition, parcel networks, building-products distributors, beverage companies, and waste and recycling operators around Shelby County and DeSoto County often post CDL roles. Many positions are also available just across the river in West Memphis, Arkansas, where industrial parks and rail facilities support daily truck traffic.
Truck drivers in Memphis can pursue several paths, depending on preferences for schedule, freight type, and home time:
Drivers who maintain clean MVRs, strong safety habits, and solid customer service generally stand out to Memphis employers. Endorsements such as HazMat, Tanker, and Doubles/Triples can improve flexibility across LTL, tanker, and intermodal assignments. Because the metro spans Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, candidates with familiarity across state lines and local routes (I-240, I-269, Lamar Avenue, and major distribution corridors) are often better positioned for efficient, on-time deliveries.
Overall, the truck driver outlook in Memphis is supported by the city’s unique logistics footprint. While freight markets ebb and flow, the combination of a major cargo airport, multiple rail gateways, an inland port, and dense warehousing typically sustains a broad set of opportunities for professional drivers in the region.
The average salary for a Truck Driver in Memphis is 51,877 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 4,323 $ 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 Memphis. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.
Compare all cities for Truck Driver · Alle Jobs in Memphis vergleichen
