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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $52,730 -8.2% vs national
Median hourly $25.35
10th percentile $37,580
90th percentile $76,280
Employed locally 5,230
National median $57,440

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

Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,580
    25th
    $45,410
    50th (median)
    $52,730
    75th
    $63,930
    90th
    $76,280

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary vs area income 80% Median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary is 20% 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 Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$36,520
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,580
    Light Truck Drivers$40,500
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$40,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62,430
    Bus Drivers, School$46,150

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Columbia, SC is $25.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Columbia, SC is 8.2% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $37,580 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,410.