Truck Driver Salary in Tennessee
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Tennessee. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$57,200
CDL-B Avg
$46,000
Non-CDL Avg
$39,200
Owner-Op Gross
$200,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Tennessee truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Tennessee
Tennessee's cost of living is 10% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$57,200
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$63,556
After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living index of 90, a CDL-A salary of $57,200 provides the same purchasing power as $63,556 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in Tennessee than the raw salary suggests.
Top Paying Cities in Tennessee
These cities offer the highest average truck driver salaries in Tennessee based on freight volume, distribution center density, and local demand.
Salary Trend in Tennessee
Tennessee trucking pay is rising, led by Memphis (FedEx global hub) and Nashville's booming logistics sector. No state income tax makes take-home pay among the best in the Southeast.
Tennessee vs National Average
| Category | TN | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $57,200 | $58,710 | $-1,510 |
| Cost of Living | 90 | 100 | -10 |
| Adjusted Pay | $63,556 | $58,710 | +$4,846 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Tennessee
What is the average truck driver salary in Tennessee?
Tennessee CDL-A drivers average $57,200 with no state income tax. Memphis drivers earn the most ($63,800) as the home of FedEx's global superhub and a major Mississippi River port.
How does FedEx in Memphis affect TN trucking?
FedEx employs thousands of drivers directly and creates massive secondary demand for freight hauling to and from the Memphis superhub. Feeder drivers, linehaul operators, and local P&D drivers are in constant demand.
Why is Tennessee popular with truck drivers?
No state income tax, central location with access to I-40/I-65/I-24, low cost of living (90% index), and two major logistics hubs (Memphis and Nashville) make Tennessee one of the most driver-friendly states.