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Baltimore, MD

Truck Driver Salary in Baltimore

2026 salary data for CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator truck drivers in Baltimore, Maryland. Compare local pay to state and national averages.

CDL-A Avg

$69,958

CDL-B Avg

$54,567

Non-CDL Avg

$40,576

Owner-Op Gross

$202,878

Salary Comparison by License Type

How Baltimore truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.

CDL-A
$69,958
CDL-B
$54,567
Non-CDL
$40,576
Owner-Op (Gross)
$202,878

Cost of Living in Baltimore

Cost of Living Index105
Low (75)National Avg (100)High (200)

Baltimore's cost of living is near the national average, offering a balanced ratio of salary to expenses for truck drivers.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay

Nominal CDL-A Salary

$69,958

Adjusted Purchasing Power

$66,627

After adjusting for Baltimore's cost of living index of 105, a CDL-A salary of $69,958 provides the same purchasing power as $66,627 in an average-cost area. The higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher local expenses.

Baltimore vs Maryland vs National Average

MetricBaltimoreMD AvgNational
CDL-A Average$69,958$62,400$58,710
vs State+$7,558
vs National+$11,248
Cost of Living105115100
Adjusted Purchasing Power$66,627$54,261$58,710

Salary Trend in Baltimore

Rising

Truck driver wages in Baltimore are trending upward, driven by growth in automotive import & export and healthcare (johns hopkins). E-commerce fulfillment expansion and a persistent driver shortage in the Maryland market continue to push pay higher.

Top Paying Companies in Baltimore

These carriers and logistics companies offer some of the highest truck driver pay in the Baltimore area.

CompanyAvg Annual Pay
1FedEx Freight$81,842
2Saia Inc.$80,721
3Penske Logistics$76,236
4DHL Supply Chain$75,115

Industries Driving Trucking Demand in Baltimore

These industries generate the most freight volume and trucking employment in the Baltimore market.

1
Automotive Import & Export
2
Healthcare (Johns Hopkins)
3
Steel & Metals
4
Food Processing
5
Defense & Cybersecurity

Find Trucking Jobs in Baltimore

Browse CDL driver positions in Baltimore, MD from top carriers and local companies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Baltimore

What is the average truck driver salary in Baltimore, MD?

CDL-A truck drivers in Baltimore, Maryland earn an average of $69,958 per year. Actual pay varies based on experience, endorsements, and whether you drive OTR, regional, or local routes. The Baltimore market is influenced by automotive import & export and healthcare (johns hopkins) freight demand.

How much do owner-operators make in Baltimore?

Owner-operators based in Baltimore gross approximately $202,878 annually before expenses. After deducting fuel, insurance, maintenance, and truck payments, net income typically ranges from $77,094 to $97,381. The Baltimore area's cost of living index of 105 is near the national average.

Is Baltimore a good city for trucking jobs?

Baltimore offers strong trucking employment thanks to its automotive import & export and healthcare (johns hopkins) sectors. The city's cost of living is near the national average, which provides a balanced ratio of earnings to expenses. CDL drivers with hazmat or tanker endorsements can earn 10-20% above the city average.