Truck Driver Salary in Colorado
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Colorado. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$63,650
CDL-B Avg
$48,500
Non-CDL Avg
$52,270
Owner-Op Gross
$215,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Colorado truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Colorado
Colorado's cost of living is 5% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$63,650
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$60,619
After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living index of 105, a CDL-A salary of $63,650 provides the same purchasing power as $60,619 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which Colorado metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Colorado average scaled for metro size. Where two metros show the same number it is because they sit in the same population band — we do not hold data fine-grained enough to separate them, and we would rather say so than invent a difference.
Salary by City in Colorado
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Colorado, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $71,288 | 112 | Rising |
| Colorado Springs | $66,196 | 102 | Rising |
| Pueblo | $61,104 | 90 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Colorado
Colorado trucking wages are increasing as Denver becomes a major distribution hub for the Mountain West. Mountain driving premiums and cannabis industry logistics add to demand.
Colorado vs National Average
| Category | CO | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $63,650 | $59,710 | +$3,940 |
| Cost of Living | 105 | 100 | +5 |
| Adjusted Pay | $60,619 | $59,710 | +$909 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Colorado
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Colorado, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$58,500 - $82,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$64,000 - $90,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$65,500 - $92,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$67,000 - $94,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$67,500 - $95,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$69,000 - $97,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$70,500 - $99,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$74,000 - $104,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$59,500 - $84,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$49,000 - $69,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$55,500 - $78,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$56,000 - $79,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$62,000 - $87,500/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$58,500 - $82,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$48,000 - $68,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Colorado
What do truck drivers make in Colorado?
Colorado CDL-A drivers average $63,650 per year. Denver-area drivers earn the most due to the metro area's concentration of distribution centers and intermodal facilities.
Do Colorado truckers get mountain driving pay?
Many carriers pay premiums of $0.03-$0.08 per mile for mountain routes through the Rockies, particularly I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel and I-25 corridors during winter months.
What industries drive trucking demand in Colorado?
Colorado trucking demand comes from e-commerce distribution (Denver), energy sector equipment hauling, agricultural products from the Eastern Plains, and growing cannabis industry logistics.
What does Colorado pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Colorado
- Entry Level driver pay in Colorado
- Mid Level driver pay in Colorado
- Experienced driver pay in Colorado
- Veteran driver pay in Colorado