Trucking Jobs: Illinois vs Ohio
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
Ohio
More Jobs
Illinois
Lower Tax
Comparable
Salary Comparison
Illinois wins| Metric | Illinois | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,000 | $63,000 |
| Salary Range | $52,000 - $80,000 | $50,000 - $76,000 |
| Minimum | $52,000 | $50,000 |
| Maximum | $80,000 | $76,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Ohio wins| Metric | Illinois | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 97 | 90 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% flat | 0%–3.75% progressive (0% under $26,050) |
Job Availability
Illinois wins| Metric | Illinois | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | Very High | Very High |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 15,600 | 14,000 |
Top Trucking Companies
Illinois
- 1Schneider
- 2Werner Enterprises
- 3Coyote Logistics (UPS)
- 4Echo Global Logistics
- 5Hub Group
Ohio
- 1TForce Freight
- 2Estes Express
- 3R+L Carriers
- 4Averitt Express
- 5Dayton Freight
Key Freight Routes
Illinois
- I-80/I-55 (Joliet intermodal corridor)
- I-94 (Chicago–WI)
- I-57 (Chicago–southern IL)
- I-74 (Quad Cities)
Ohio
- I-71 (Cleveland–Columbus–Cincinnati)
- I-75 (Toledo–Dayton)
- I-77 (Cleveland–Canton–WV)
- I-70 (Columbus–Indianapolis)
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.
Ohio
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Ohio BMV requires ELDT completion before CDL skills test.
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.
Ohio
Weather
Cold winters with lake-effect snow near Cleveland, warm humid summers.
Driving Challenges
Lake-effect snow on I-90 near Cleveland, construction on I-71 corridor, Columbus interchange complexity.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
IL
Lower COL
OH
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 Ohio
Where are more trucking jobs, Illinois or Ohio?
Illinois has slightly more openings (15,600 vs 14,000) and higher average pay ($52K–$80K vs $50K–$76K). Both states are major Midwest freight hubs. Illinois benefits from Chicago's intermodal dominance; Ohio benefits from being at the crossroads of I-70, I-71, and I-75 connecting multiple major markets.
How do taxes affect truck driver pay in Illinois vs Ohio?
Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax. Ohio uses a progressive system that effectively starts at 0% (under $26,050) and tops at 3.75%. For a driver earning $65,000, Ohio's tax bill is roughly $1,460 vs Illinois's $3,218—a $1,758 annual savings in Ohio.
Which state has better winter driving conditions?
Neither state is easy in winter. Ohio gets significant lake-effect snow near Cleveland and ice on I-71/I-77. Illinois gets lake-effect snow near Chicago and brutal wind chill. Ohio's snowfall is generally heavier in the northeast, while Illinois's worst conditions center on the Chicago metro area.
Explore Each State
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