Trucking Jobs: Illinois vs Missouri
Side-by-side comparison of salaries, cost of living, taxes, job availability, freight routes, and CDL requirements for truck drivers.
Higher Pay
Illinois
Lower COL
Missouri
More Jobs
Illinois
Lower Tax
Comparable
Salary Comparison
Illinois wins| Metric | Illinois | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Range | $52,000 - $80,000 | $48,000 - $73,000 |
| Minimum | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Maximum | $80,000 | $73,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Missouri wins| Metric | Illinois | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 97 | 88 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% flat | 2%–4.8% progressive |
Job Availability
Illinois wins| Metric | Illinois | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | Very High | High |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 15,600 | 9,200 |
Top Trucking Companies
Illinois
- 1Schneider
- 2Werner Enterprises
- 3Coyote Logistics (UPS)
- 4Echo Global Logistics
- 5Hub Group
Missouri
- 1Prime Inc (HQ Springfield)
- 2Jack Cooper Transport
- 3Crete Carrier
- 4Anderson Trucking
- 5CFI (Contract Freighters)
Key Freight Routes
Illinois
- I-80/I-55 (Joliet intermodal corridor)
- I-94 (Chicago–WI)
- I-57 (Chicago–southern IL)
- I-74 (Quad Cities)
Missouri
- I-70 (KC–Columbia–St. Louis)
- I-44 (Springfield–St. Louis)
- I-55 (St. Louis–Memphis)
- I-49 (KC–Joplin)
CDL Requirements
Illinois
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Illinois Secretary of State requires a separate CDL facility visit for skills testing.
Missouri
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Missouri DOR administers CDL testing at license offices.
Weather & Driving Conditions
Illinois
Weather
Cold winters with heavy snow, hot humid summers. Lake-effect snow near Chicago.
Driving Challenges
Chicago metro congestion, intermodal yard traffic around Joliet, winter ice on I-80, tollway costs.
Missouri
Weather
Hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms. Tornado alley overlap in SW Missouri.
Driving Challenges
Ice storms on I-44, KC/St. Louis metro congestion, I-70 construction, tornado risk.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
IL
Lower COL
MO
More Jobs
IL
Lower Tax
Tie
Illinois 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: Illinois vs Missouri
Which state is better for trucking, Illinois or Missouri?
Illinois has more openings (15,600 vs 9,200) and higher average pay ($52K–$80K vs $48K–$73K), driven by the Chicago intermodal market. Missouri has a lower cost of living (88 vs 97) and lower income tax (top rate 4.8% vs 4.95%). St. Louis and Kansas City are both strong freight markets, but Chicago is in a different tier.
How do St. Louis and Chicago compare as freight hubs?
Chicago is the #1 intermodal hub in North America—no comparison on volume. St. Louis is a solid mid-tier hub with river barge access, east-west I-70 traffic, and north-south I-55 traffic. St. Louis offers a more manageable driving environment; Chicago pays more but comes with brutal congestion and higher costs.
What freight flows between Illinois and Missouri?
I-70 connects St. Louis to Indianapolis via IL. I-55 connects St. Louis to Chicago (300 miles). I-44 connects St. Louis to Springfield MO. The IL-MO lane carries automotive parts, food products, consumer goods, and agricultural commodities. St. Louis's bi-state metro area means the market effectively straddles both states.
Explore Each State
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