Trucking Jobs: Florida vs Georgia
Side-by-side comparison of salaries, cost of living, taxes, job availability, freight routes, and CDL requirements for truck drivers.
Higher Pay
Georgia
Lower COL
Georgia
More Jobs
Florida
Lower Tax
Florida
Salary Comparison
Georgia wins| Metric | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Range | $48,000 - $72,000 | $48,000 - $73,000 |
| Minimum | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Maximum | $72,000 | $73,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Georgia wins| Metric | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 103 | 93 |
| State Income Tax | None | 5.49% flat (2026) |
Tax advantage: Florida has no state income tax, which can save a driver earning $65,000 approximately $2,000–$6,000 per year compared to Georgia.
Job Availability
Florida wins| Metric | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | Very High | Very High |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 18,900 | 14,200 |
Top Trucking Companies
Florida
- 1Southeastern Freight Lines
- 2Publix (private fleet)
- 3Saddle Creek Logistics
- 4Tropical Shipping
- 5Decker Truck Line
Georgia
- 1UPS (HQ Atlanta)
- 2Home Depot (private fleet)
- 3Covenant Transport
- 4Southeastern Freight Lines
- 5Old Dominion
Key Freight Routes
Florida
- I-95 (Jacksonville–Miami)
- I-75 (Tampa–Atlanta)
- I-4 (Tampa–Orlando–Daytona)
- I-10 (Jacksonville–Pensacola)
Georgia
- I-75 (Atlanta–Macon–Valdosta)
- I-85 (Atlanta–SC border)
- I-20 (Atlanta–Augusta)
- I-16 (Macon–Savannah port)
CDL Requirements
Florida
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Florida requires an additional ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) certification.
Georgia
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Georgia DDS handles CDL testing at specific locations.
Weather & Driving Conditions
Florida
Weather
Hot, humid year-round. Hurricane season Jun–Nov can shut down roads and ports.
Driving Challenges
Hurricane evacuations, heavy tourist traffic on I-4 and I-95, flooding on coastal routes, bridge weight restrictions on Keys.
Georgia
Weather
Hot, humid summers. Mild winters with occasional ice storms in north GA mountains.
Driving Challenges
Atlanta metro congestion (I-285/I-75/I-85 interchange), summer thunderstorms, Savannah port truck queues.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
GA
Lower COL
GA
More Jobs
FL
Lower Tax
FL
Both states are evenly matched across our comparison categories. Your decision should come down to personal preferences—weather, proximity to family, and the type of freight you want to haul.
Frequently Asked Questions: Florida vs Georgia
Is Georgia or Florida better for trucking jobs?
Georgia edges out Florida for logistics hub access—Atlanta is a top-5 US freight hub with the Savannah port growing rapidly. Florida has more seasonal freight (produce, tourism). Georgia offers higher average pay ($48K–$73K vs $48K–$72K) with a lower cost of living (93 vs 103). Florida has no income tax; Georgia charges 5.49%.
What freight types are common in Florida vs Georgia?
Florida specializes in produce/perishables, beverages, tourism supplies, and port drayage from Miami/Jacksonville/Tampa. Georgia handles automotive parts, poultry/food processing, home improvement goods (Home Depot HQ), and Savannah port container drayage. Both share I-75 and I-95 corridor traffic.
Should I relocate from Florida to Georgia as a truck driver?
If you want access to more diverse freight and lower living costs, Georgia is compelling. Atlanta's position as a logistics hub means more local and regional opportunities. However, Georgia's 5.49% income tax reduces the advantage over Florida's zero tax. Run the math: a Georgia driver earning $65K pays ~$3,570 in state tax, so your take-home needs to be at least that much higher to break even.
Explore Each State
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