Average Truck Driver Salary in North Carolina

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods across the country and locally, forming the backbone of American commerce. With a median annual salary of approximately $49,920 for heavy/tractor-trailer drivers — and experienced long-haul drivers at top carriers routinely earning $70,000–$100,000+ — trucking is one of the most accessible paths to a six-figure income for workers without a four-year degree. The industry is facing a structural shortage of qualified drivers, with the American Trucking Associations estimating a shortage of over 60,000 drivers, leading carriers to offer significant signing bonuses, pay-per-mile increases, and improved hometime policies to attract and retain talent. Owner-operators who lease or own their own equipment can earn substantially more by controlling their own freight and expenses.

In North Carolina, truck drivers earn an average of $54,745 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $35,700 for entry-level roles to $81,092 for the most experienced professionals — +0.8% above the national average. Pay is influenced most by freight type — hazmat, flatbed, and refrigerated loads pay 15–30% more than standard dry van, carrier type — private fleets (walmart, amazon logistics, food distributors) pay more than for-hire trucking, and the specific metro area within North Carolina.