Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $55,530 -3.3% vs national
Median hourly $26.70
10th percentile $39,070
90th percentile $82,510
Employed locally 5,890
National median $57,440

Compare Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary & buying power

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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,070
    25th
    $45,920
    50th (median)
    $55,530
    75th
    $67,750
    90th
    $82,510

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary vs area income 67% Median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary is 33% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lincoln, NE $92,890
    Fairbanks-College, AK $73,540
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $73,500
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $69,290
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $65,540
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $65,220

    Nearby metros — Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $64,210
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $59,940
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $57,580
    Wisconsin $57,380
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $56,440
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $55,920

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $37,200
    Stockers and Order Fillers $35,760
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,060
    Light Truck Drivers $40,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $60,540
    Bus Drivers, School $48,690

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Charleston, SC is $26.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.29 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries?

    The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Charleston, SC is 3.3% below the national median of $57,440. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Charleston?

    Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $39,070 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,920.