Trucking Jobs: Georgia vs Tennessee
Side-by-side comparison of salaries, cost of living, taxes, job availability, freight routes, and CDL requirements for truck drivers.
Higher Pay
Tied
Lower COL
Tennessee
More Jobs
Georgia
Lower Tax
Tennessee
Salary Comparison
Tie| Metric | Georgia | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Range | $48,000 - $73,000 | $48,000 - $74,000 |
| Minimum | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Maximum | $73,000 | $74,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Tennessee wins| Metric | Georgia | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 93 | 90 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% flat (2026) | None |
Tax advantage: Tennessee 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
Georgia wins| Metric | Georgia | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | Very High | High |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 14,200 | 10,800 |
Top Trucking Companies
Georgia
- 1UPS (HQ Atlanta)
- 2Home Depot (private fleet)
- 3Covenant Transport
- 4Southeastern Freight Lines
- 5Old Dominion
Tennessee
- 1FedEx (HQ Memphis)
- 2Averitt Express
- 3Forward Air
- 4Western Express
- 5Covenant Transport
Key Freight Routes
Georgia
- I-75 (Atlanta–Macon–Valdosta)
- I-85 (Atlanta–SC border)
- I-20 (Atlanta–Augusta)
- I-16 (Macon–Savannah port)
Tennessee
- I-40 (Memphis–Nashville–Knoxville)
- I-24 (Nashville–Chattanooga)
- I-65 (Nashville–KY/AL)
- I-81 (Knoxville–VA)
CDL Requirements
Georgia
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Georgia DDS handles CDL testing at specific locations.
Tennessee
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Tennessee Department of Safety administers CDL 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.
Tennessee
Weather
Mild to moderate winters with occasional ice. Hot humid summers. Mountain fog in east TN.
Driving Challenges
I-40 mountain grades near Knoxville, Nashville metro congestion, Memphis intermodal yard traffic, ice on I-24.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
Tie
Lower COL
TN
More Jobs
GA
Lower Tax
TN
Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Is Tennessee or Georgia better for trucking careers?
Both are top Southeast logistics states. Tennessee has no income tax, while Georgia charges 5.49%. Pay is similar ($48K–$74K TN vs $48K–$73K GA). Atlanta has more total freight volume, but Memphis (FedEx HQ) and Nashville are powerhouse hubs in their own right.
How does Memphis vs Atlanta freight traffic compare?
Atlanta is the larger overall freight market with higher volume across all sectors. Memphis is the undisputed leader in air freight (FedEx SuperHub) and ranks #1 for rail intermodal in the South. Atlanta handles more trucking volume; Memphis handles more multimodal freight. Both cities offer abundant trucking work.
What is the tax impact for truckers in Georgia vs Tennessee?
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. Georgia charges a flat 5.49%. For a driver earning $65,000, that's approximately $3,570 in annual Georgia state tax that a Tennessee driver keeps. Combined with similar costs of living (90 TN vs 93 GA), Tennessee offers a meaningful financial advantage.
Explore Each State
Ready to Drive in Tennessee?
Submit your profile and get matched with carriers hiring CDL drivers in your preferred state.