BLS OEWS 2024 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $58,240/year · Kentucky: $55,950/year · Difference: -$2,290/year
| Metric | Kentucky | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $55,950 | $58,240 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $26.90 | $28.00 |
| Median Annual Wage | $55,590 | $57,440 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $26.73 | $27.62 |
| Drivers Employed | 38.5K | 2,070K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in Kentucky is $55,950 per year ($26.90/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $55,590/year. Approximately 38.5 thousand drivers work in this category in Kentucky.
Kentucky ranks #39 out of 50 states. The national mean is $58,240/year; Kentucky is $2,290 lower (-3.9%).
Pay depends on freight volume, proximity to major distribution hubs and ports, cost of living, employer type (private fleet vs. for-hire), experience, CDL endorsements, and route type (OTR vs. regional vs. local). Specialized freight — hazmat, reefer, flatbed, oversized — typically pays a premium over dry van rates in any state.