Trucking Jobs: Tennessee vs Kentucky
Side-by-side comparison of salaries, cost of living, taxes, job availability, freight routes, and CDL requirements for truck drivers.
Higher Pay
Tennessee
Lower COL
Kentucky
More Jobs
Tennessee
Lower Tax
Tennessee
Salary Comparison
Tennessee wins| Metric | Tennessee | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $60,000 |
| Salary Range | $48,000 - $74,000 | $47,000 - $72,000 |
| Minimum | $48,000 | $47,000 |
| Maximum | $74,000 | $72,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Kentucky wins| Metric | Tennessee | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 90 | 87 |
| State Income Tax | None | 4% flat |
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 Kentucky.
Job Availability
Tennessee wins| Metric | Tennessee | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | High | Moderate |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 10,800 | 6,400 |
Top Trucking Companies
Tennessee
- 1FedEx (HQ Memphis)
- 2Averitt Express
- 3Forward Air
- 4Western Express
- 5Covenant Transport
Kentucky
- 1UPS Worldport (Louisville)
- 2Amazon (Hebron fulfillment)
- 3Total Quality Logistics
- 4R+L Carriers
- 5Forward Air
Key Freight Routes
Tennessee
- I-40 (Memphis–Nashville–Knoxville)
- I-24 (Nashville–Chattanooga)
- I-65 (Nashville–KY/AL)
- I-81 (Knoxville–VA)
Kentucky
- I-65 (Louisville–Nashville)
- I-75 (Lexington–Cincinnati)
- I-64 (Louisville–Lexington)
- I-71 (Louisville–Cincinnati)
CDL Requirements
Tennessee
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Tennessee Department of Safety administers CDL testing.
Kentucky
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Kentucky requires KYU (weight-distance tax) for trucks 60K+ lbs.
Weather & Driving Conditions
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.
Kentucky
Weather
Moderate winters with occasional ice and snow. Hot humid summers. Mountain weather in eastern KY.
Driving Challenges
KYU weight-distance tax compliance, I-75 mountain grades in SE Kentucky, Louisville metro congestion, ice on I-64.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
TN
Lower COL
KY
More Jobs
TN
Lower Tax
TN
Tennessee leads in 3 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: Tennessee vs Kentucky
How does truck driver pay compare in Tennessee and Kentucky?
Pay ranges are similar—Tennessee $48K–$74K and Kentucky $47K–$72K. The major difference is taxes: Tennessee has no income tax while Kentucky charges 4% flat. For a driver earning $60,000, that's $2,400 annual savings in Tennessee. Both states have comparable costs of living (90 and 87 respectively).
What are the major freight differences between TN and KY?
Tennessee's freight is driven by FedEx (Memphis), automotive (Nissan/VW in Nashville area), and Nashville's booming distribution sector. Kentucky's freight centers on UPS Worldport (Louisville—the busiest air cargo hub in North America), bourbon distilleries, automotive (Toyota Georgetown), and Amazon fulfillment.
Which state has better driving conditions year-round?
Tennessee generally has milder weather, though I-40 mountain grades near Knoxville can be challenging. Kentucky's I-75 through southeastern KY has steep mountain grades, and the state deals with more ice storms. Tennessee also has mountain fog in the east. Overall, Tennessee's road conditions are slightly more favorable.
Explore Each State
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