Trucking Jobs: Georgia vs South Carolina
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
South Carolina
More Jobs
Georgia
Lower Tax
Comparable
Salary Comparison
Georgia wins| Metric | Georgia | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Range | $48,000 - $73,000 | $46,000 - $70,000 |
| Minimum | $48,000 | $46,000 |
| Maximum | $73,000 | $70,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
South Carolina wins| Metric | Georgia | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 93 | 91 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% flat (2026) | 0%–6.4% progressive |
Job Availability
Georgia wins| Metric | Georgia | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | Very High | Moderate |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 14,200 | 6,200 |
Top Trucking Companies
Georgia
- 1UPS (HQ Atlanta)
- 2Home Depot (private fleet)
- 3Covenant Transport
- 4Southeastern Freight Lines
- 5Old Dominion
South Carolina
- 1Southeastern Freight Lines
- 2AAA Cooper
- 3Saia Inc
- 4FedEx Freight
- 5BMW/Volvo (private fleets)
Key Freight Routes
Georgia
- I-75 (Atlanta–Macon–Valdosta)
- I-85 (Atlanta–SC border)
- I-20 (Atlanta–Augusta)
- I-16 (Macon–Savannah port)
South Carolina
- I-85 (Greenville–Spartanburg)
- I-26 (Charleston–Columbia–Spartanburg)
- I-95 (north–south coast)
- I-77 (Columbia–Charlotte)
CDL Requirements
Georgia
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Georgia DDS handles CDL testing at specific locations.
South Carolina
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. SC DMV requires CDL knowledge and skills testing.
Weather & Driving Conditions
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.
South Carolina
Weather
Mild winters, hot humid summers. Hurricane risk on coast. Occasional ice in upstate.
Driving Challenges
Charleston port truck queues, hurricane evacuations on I-26, I-85 congestion near Greenville.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
GA
Lower COL
SC
More Jobs
GA
Lower Tax
Tie
Georgia leads in 2 of 4 categories. However, the best state for you depends on your specific situation—freight specialization, family location, and career goals all matter.
Frequently Asked Questions: Georgia vs South Carolina
Which state has more trucking jobs, Georgia or South Carolina?
Georgia has significantly more openings (14,200 vs 6,200) and higher average pay ($48K–$73K vs $46K–$70K). Atlanta is a tier-1 freight hub that dwarfs any South Carolina city. However, SC's Charleston port is growing rapidly and Greenville-Spartanburg has strong automotive freight from BMW/Volvo plants.
How do port trucking opportunities compare in GA vs SC?
The Port of Savannah (GA) is now the third-busiest container port in the US, with a new inland port in northeast Georgia. Charleston (SC) is also growing but handles less volume. Savannah drayage work is more abundant and often better paid. Both ports are investing in expansion.
What is the cost of living difference for truckers in GA vs SC?
Very similar—Georgia's COL index is 93 and SC's is 91. Georgia has a 5.49% flat income tax; SC has a progressive system reaching 6.4%. For a driver earning $60K, Georgia tax is ~$3,294 vs SC's ~$3,100. The difference is minimal, so job availability (strongly favoring Georgia) should drive the decision.
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