Truck Driver Salary in New York
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in New York. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$65,780
CDL-B Avg
$54,200
Non-CDL Avg
$50,330
Owner-Op Gross
$255,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How New York truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in New York
New York's cost of living is 22% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$65,780
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$53,918
After adjusting for New York's cost of living index of 122, a CDL-A salary of $65,780 provides the same purchasing power as $53,918 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which New York metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the New York 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 New York
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in New York, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $77,620 | 187 | Rising |
| Buffalo | $71,042 | 93 | Rising |
| Syracuse | $68,411 | 91 | Stable |
| Albany | $68,411 | 96 | Stable |
Salary Trend in New York
New York trucking wages are rising, particularly in the NYC metro area where congestion pricing, strict delivery windows, and parking challenges command premium pay for last-mile and LTL drivers.
New York vs National Average
| Category | NY | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $65,780 | $59,710 | +$6,070 |
| Cost of Living | 122 | 100 | +22 |
| Adjusted Pay | $53,918 | $59,710 | $-5,792 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in New York
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in New York, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$66,000 - $93,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$68,000 - $96,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$69,000 - $97,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$69,500 - $98,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$71,500 - $101,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$72,500 - $102,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$76,500 - $107,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$51,000 - $72,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$57,500 - $81,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$63,000 - $89,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$64,000 - $90,500/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$49,500 - $70,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in New York
What is the average truck driver salary in New York?
New York CDL-A drivers average $65,780. NYC-area drivers earn the most, among the highest in the nation, due to extreme congestion, limited access, and high demand for freight delivery.
Is it worth driving trucks in New York City?
NYC trucking pays very well but involves severe congestion, complex regulations (off-hour delivery programs, bridge restrictions, commercial vehicle rules), and limited parking. Many drivers prefer upstate routes.
What about trucking in upstate New York?
Upstate cities like Buffalo and Syracuse offer lower pay but significantly better cost of living and driving conditions. Cross-border freight to Canada via the Peace Bridge in Buffalo adds opportunities.
What does New York pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in New York
- Entry Level driver pay in New York
- Mid Level driver pay in New York
- Experienced driver pay in New York
- Veteran driver pay in New York