Truck Driver Salary in Texas
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Texas. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$62,400
CDL-B Avg
$50,200
Non-CDL Avg
$42,500
Owner-Op Gross
$245,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Texas truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Texas
Texas's cost of living is 8% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$62,400
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$67,826
After adjusting for Texas's cost of living index of 92, a CDL-A salary of $62,400 provides the same purchasing power as $67,826 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in Texas than the raw salary suggests.
Top Paying Cities in Texas
These cities offer the highest average truck driver salaries in Texas based on freight volume, distribution center density, and local demand.
Salary by City in Texas
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Texas, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $74,663 | 98 | Rising |
| Houston | $73,706 | 95 | Rising |
| Austin | $69,539 | 103 | Rising |
| San Antonio | $69,189 | 90 | Rising |
| McAllen | $65,869 | 79 | Rising |
| El Paso | $65,545 | 86 | Rising |
| Fort Worth | $65,480 | 96 | Rising |
| Lubbock | $63,461 | 84 | Stable |
| Laredo | $63,024 | 82 | Stable |
| Waco | $62,837 | 83 | Stable |
| Amarillo | $62,525 | 91 | Stable |
| Corpus Christi | $62,026 | 87 | Stable |
| Brownsville | $61,901 | 78 | Stable |
| Beaumont | $61,776 | 86 | Stable |
| Tyler | $61,339 | 85 | Stable |
| Abilene | $60,084 | 92 | Stable |
| Midland | $60,024 | 97 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Texas
Texas is one of the top trucking states with rising wages driven by energy sector hauling, cross-border trade through Laredo, massive DFW distribution growth, and Port of Houston activity.
Texas vs National Average
| Category | TX | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $62,400 | $58,710 | +$3,690 |
| Cost of Living | 92 | 100 | -8 |
| Adjusted Pay | $67,826 | $58,710 | +$9,116 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Texas
What is the average truck driver salary in Texas?
Texas CDL-A drivers average $62,400 with no state income tax. Houston ($68,400) and Dallas ($66,800) lead in pay. Adjusted for the 92% cost of living, Texas offers some of the best real wages nationally.
What makes Texas one of the best states for trucking?
No state income tax, massive freight volume (energy, cross-border, port, agriculture), low cost of living, and year-round driving conditions make Texas consistently ranked among the best states for truck drivers.
What types of trucking pay the most in Texas?
Oil field hauling in the Permian Basin ($70,000-$90,000), cross-border loads through Laredo ($64,200 average), hazmat tanker work along the Gulf Coast, and oversized/heavy haul for energy equipment.