Truck Driver Salary in Hawaii
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Hawaii. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$60,850
CDL-B Avg
$47,500
Non-CDL Avg
$51,340
Owner-Op Gross
$180,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Hawaii truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Hawaii
Hawaii's cost of living is 70% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$60,850
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$35,794
After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living index of 170, a CDL-A salary of $60,850 provides the same purchasing power as $35,794 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which Hawaii metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Hawaii 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 Hawaii
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Hawaii, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $65,718 | 192 | Rising |
| Hilo | $58,416 | 170 | Stable |
| Kailua-Kona | $58,416 | 178 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Hawaii
Hawaii trucking wages are stable but limited by the island geography. All freight arrives by ship, and driving distances are short, keeping pay moderate despite extreme cost of living.
Hawaii vs National Average
| Category | HI | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $60,850 | $59,710 | +$1,140 |
| Cost of Living | 170 | 100 | +70 |
| Adjusted Pay | $35,794 | $59,710 | $-23,916 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Hawaii
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Hawaii, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$64,000 - $90,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$64,500 - $91,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$66,000 - $93,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$67,000 - $95,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$70,500 - $99,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$47,000 - $66,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$53,000 - $75,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$53,500 - $76,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$58,000 - $82,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$46,000 - $65,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Hawaii
What do truck drivers make in Hawaii?
Hawaii CDL-A drivers average $60,850, but the state's 170% cost of living index makes this equivalent to only $35,794 in mainland purchasing power. Most trucking is local delivery from ports.
What kind of trucking work exists in Hawaii?
Hawaii trucking is primarily local: port drayage from Honolulu Harbor, construction material hauling, agricultural transport (pineapple, coffee, macadamia), and military base supply runs. No long-haul OTR exists.
Should I relocate to Hawaii for trucking?
Relocating to Hawaii for trucking is generally not advisable due to the extreme cost of living. The limited routes and island geography cap earning potential well below what mainland drivers can achieve.
What does Hawaii pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Hawaii
- Entry Level driver pay in Hawaii
- Mid Level driver pay in Hawaii
- Experienced driver pay in Hawaii
- Veteran driver pay in Hawaii