Average Weekly Salary for U.S. Truck Drivers Reaches $1,804 in Q1 2026

A report published on May 18 by Fleet Intel, a division of technology company Conversion Interactive Agency, revealed that the average weekly salary for company truck drivers increased by 11% during the first quarter of 2026, reaching an average of $1,804 per week. The report also disclosed the weekly earnings for team drivers ($2,063), lease-purchase drivers ($2,748), and owner-operators ($3,364).

The report highlights the main trends in truck driver compensation across the transportation industry during the first quarter of 2026. Steve Sichterman, Director of Products at Conversion Interactive Agency, stated that the data reflects growing momentum in driver pay as trucking companies continue prioritizing recruitment and retention efforts.

Regarding company driver pay by trailer type, Fleet Intel revealed that refrigerated freight continues to post some of the highest advertised pay levels at $1,865 per week. This is followed by flatbed trailers ($1,745), dry vans ($1,740), and tanker trucks ($1,625 per week).

How Driver Compensation Is Evolving

Trucking companies are diversifying their pay structures to attract and retain drivers, according to the report. Over the past three years, wage growth for truck drivers has been driven by four main factors: cost per mile, hourly pay, alternative models, and percentage pay with guaranteed salary.

• Cost per mile – Cost-per-mile compensation remains dominant, but declined from 96.3% in 2022 to 64.52% in 2025.
• Hourly pay – Increased from 3.7% in 2022 to 22.8% in 2025.
• Alternative models – Alternative compensation models (hourly pay + percentage pay + guaranteed salary) increased from 3% in 2022 to 35.8% in 2025.
• Percentage pay and guaranteed salary – Combined growth rose from 0% in 2022 to 12.90% in 2025.

“Understanding how driver compensation varies across different freight markets remains essential for trucking companies seeking to stay competitive,” Sichterman noted. The information provided by Fleet Intel helps transportation companies benchmark wage trends, strengthen strategies, and better position themselves in an evolving labor market.

Top 10 States With the Highest Average Weekly Pay for Company Drivers

Analyzing the four main compensation factors, Fleet Intel ranked the states with the highest average weekly pay in the United States. The list is as follows:

1. Colorado: $2,207 per week
2. North Dakota: $2,032 per week
3. Illinois: $2,022 per week
4. Texas: $2,012 per week
5. Mississippi: $1,197 per week
6. West Virginia: $1,966 per week
7. Washington, D.C.: $1,921 per week
8. Florida: $1,900 per week
9. Louisiana: $1,887 per week
10. Arkansas: $1,818 per week

As for the states with the lowest compensation levels, the company identified the following:

1. Iowa: $1,493 per week
2. Tennessee: $1,489 per week
3. Maryland: $1,471 per week
4. Massachusetts: $1,468 per week
5. Minnesota: $1,422 per week
6. New York: $1,403 per week
7. New Hampshire: $1,391 per week
8. California: $1,376 per week
9. Maine: $1,346 per week
10. Hawaii: $1,205 per week

The first-quarter 2026 report highlights significant regional variation in company driver compensation across the country. While Midwestern and Southern states rank among the highest-paying markets, the Northwest and West Coast regions continue to report some of the lowest compensation levels.