In many fields, women still earn less than men for the same work. Trucking stands out because most driver pay is tied to the work itself: the miles driven, the hours worked or the loads hauled. A 2024 study by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that income potential is a major reason women choose trucking, and that equal pay for men and women is more common in trucking than in many other fields.
Truck drivers are usually paid in one of four ways:
- By the mile. This is common for regional and long-haul drivers. Two drivers with the same rate who log the same miles earn the same pay.
- By the hour. Many local drivers are paid hourly, which can include time spent loading and waiting at docks.
- By the load. Some drivers, especially owner-operators, earn a flat rate or a percentage of what each load pays.
- By salary. Some dedicated routes pay a set weekly or yearly amount.
Pay still varies from one company to the next. Experience, route type, location and endorsements such as HazMat or tanker can all affect what a driver earns. Comparing offers from more than one carrier helps new drivers find the best fit.
What Truck Drivers Earn
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earned a median pay of $57,440 a year in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS expects jobs in the field to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034. Most truck driving jobs require a CDL and training from a professional truck driving school, but not a college degree.
How Many Female Truck Drivers Are There?
Women make up about 9.5 percent of CDL drivers at the companies surveyed in the 2026-27 Women In Trucking Index. The share depends on company size. Women held about 10 percent of driver jobs at smaller companies and about 7 percent at companies with 5,000 or more workers.
Ellen Voie started the Women In Trucking Association in 2007 to bring more women into the industry and remove barriers that kept them out. The group also works to grow the number of women in management. Women now hold about 31 percent of executive roles at the companies in the index.
What Female Truck Drivers Say About the Job
The 2024 ATRI study surveyed more than 1,400 drivers and held a focus group with women drivers. Women named several reasons they like the work:
- They enjoy driving.
- The job offers independence.
- Drivers are in steady demand, which brings job security.
- No college degree is required.
The study also named real trade-offs. Some women said long-haul driving keeps them away from home too long and makes child care hard. Others felt advancement options were limited. Drivers who want more time at home often look for local routes, and experienced drivers can move into training new drivers.
For a look at the women who opened trucking to others, read the history of women in the trucking industry.
How to Get Started
All new Class A drivers must complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training before taking the CDL skills test. Advanced Career Institute offers Class A CDL training in 4-week and 6-week programs that meet these rules, with tuition assistance for students who qualify.
Women exploring trucking, welding and other trades can find more on ACI’s Women in Trades page. To ask questions or get started, request program information.
