Truck Driver Salary in Washington
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Washington. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$68,230
CDL-B Avg
$50,200
Non-CDL Avg
$53,520
Owner-Op Gross
$225,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Washington truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Washington
Washington's cost of living is 15% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$68,230
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$59,330
After adjusting for Washington's cost of living index of 115, a CDL-A salary of $68,230 provides the same purchasing power as $59,330 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which Washington metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Washington 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 Washington
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Washington, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
Salary Trend in Washington
Washington trucking wages are rising, driven by Port of Tacoma/Seattle activity, Amazon headquarters logistics, and strong apple and cherry agricultural hauling from the eastern part of the state.
Washington vs National Average
| Category | WA | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $68,230 | $59,710 | +$8,520 |
| Cost of Living | 115 | 100 | +15 |
| Adjusted Pay | $59,330 | $59,710 | $-380 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Washington
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Washington, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$63,000 - $88,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$68,500 - $96,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$70,500 - $99,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$71,500 - $101,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$72,000 - $102,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$74,000 - $104,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$75,500 - $106,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$79,000 - $112,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$64,000 - $90,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$52,500 - $74,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$59,500 - $84,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$60,500 - $85,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$65,500 - $92,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$66,500 - $94,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$63,000 - $88,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$51,500 - $72,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Washington
What is the average truck driver salary in Washington?
Washington CDL-A drivers average $68,230 with no state income tax. Seattle-area drivers earn the most, among the highest in the Pacific Northwest.
How does no state income tax benefit WA truckers?
Washington's lack of state income tax means drivers keep 5-9% more of their earnings compared to Oregon or California. Combined with strong port freight, this makes Washington attractive for trucking careers.
What freight is common in Washington state?
Port of Tacoma/Seattle container freight, Boeing aerospace parts, Amazon e-commerce logistics, apples and cherries from Yakima and Wenatchee, lumber from the Cascades, and wheat from the Palouse region.
What does Washington pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Washington
- Entry Level driver pay in Washington
- Mid Level driver pay in Washington
- Experienced driver pay in Washington
- Veteran driver pay in Washington