BLS OEWS 2024 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $58,240/year · Nebraska: $61,030/year · Difference: +$2,790/year
| Metric | Nebraska | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $61,030 | $58,240 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $29.34 | $28.00 |
| Median Annual Wage | $57,940 | $57,440 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $27.86 | $27.62 |
| Drivers Employed | 25.7K | 2,070K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in Nebraska is $61,030 per year ($29.34/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $57,940/year. Approximately 25.7 thousand drivers work in this category in Nebraska.
Nebraska ranks #11 out of 50 states. The national mean is $58,240/year; Nebraska is $2,790 higher (+4.8%).
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.