Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $58,880 +2.5% vs national
Median hourly $28.31
10th percentile $42,290
90th percentile $78,690
Employed locally 8,580
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
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,290
    25th
    $49,440
    50th (median)
    $58,880
    75th
    $64,650
    90th
    $78,690

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary vs area income 70% Median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary is 30% 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
    District of Columbia $63,610
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $62,880
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $62,060
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $61,750
    Indiana $60,090
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $60,000

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$44,530
    Stockers and Order Fillers$37,330
    Light Truck Drivers$45,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$59,260
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$51,470
    Driver/Sales Workers$42,970

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Des Moines, IA is $28.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.10 or more per hour.

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

    The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Des Moines, IA is 2.5% above 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $42,290 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,440.