The latest available occupational wage estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put Tennessee’s median annual pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers at $58,620 in May 2025. That’s just $20 below the national median of $58,640, placing the state’s typical earnings almost exactly in line with the country as a whole.

The statewide figures cover approximately 64,890 jobs and show a considerable range in compensation. The middle half of workers earned between $47,740 and $73,420 annually, while the highest-paid 10% earned more than $83,280.

These are occupational wage estimates rather than advertised salaries. They include employees working for different kinds of trucking operations and do not identify which individuals have the most experience or which carriers offer the highest rates. The figures are most useful as a reference when comparing actual job offers, particularly when a company advertises earnings well above the statewide median.

Memphis and Nashville Offer Different Pay Benchmarks

The state’s two largest metropolitan freight markets both recorded median wages above Tennessee’s statewide figure. Memphis reported $63,070 annually for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, compared with $60,630 in the Nashville metropolitan area.

Memphis also had an estimated 19,460 jobs in the occupation, reflecting the scale of transportation employment around its distribution facilities, rail connections and interstate freight corridors. Because the BLS metropolitan area extends into Mississippi and Arkansas, those figures describe the wider Memphis labor market rather than Tennessee alone.

Nashville’s metropolitan area accounted for approximately 18,860 positions. Its freight activity includes distribution, manufacturing and transportation serving the surrounding Middle Tennessee region, with opportunities extending beyond the city itself.

The difference between the two median wages was $2,440 annually. That provides a useful comparison of the markets, although it doesn’t establish what a particular carrier will pay. Job duties, equipment and compensation arrangements can vary substantially within either region.

Freight Opportunities Across Tennessee

Memphis has a well-established role in intermodal transportation, where containers move between rail facilities, distribution centers and other freight destinations. Drivers considering this work should pay close attention to how carriers compensate for terminal delays, chassis handling and time spent waiting at customer facilities.

Around Nashville, warehouse distribution and manufacturing support a range of local and regional positions. Some involve regular deliveries to established customers, while others cover a broader operating area. The compensation structure may differ even among jobs using similar equipment, particularly when one position pays hourly and another relies primarily on mileage.

Manufacturing also contributes to trucking employment elsewhere in Tennessee. Automotive production and related suppliers generate shipments of components and industrial materials, while other businesses depend on transportation for finished goods. Depending on the assignment, carriers may require experience with flatbeds, dry vans or specialized freight.

These industries help explain the variety of work available, but they shouldn’t be taken as evidence that one freight category automatically pays more than another. The actual responsibilities and carrier pay policies matter more than the general type of freight being hauled.

How Mileage and Hourly Rates Translate into Earnings

A carrier advertising 60 cents per mile might appear to offer stronger compensation than a position with a lower rate, but the number of paid miles available can change that comparison considerably.

At 2,400 paid miles per week, 60 cents per mile produces $1,440 in mileage earnings. Maintaining that pace for 50 paid weeks would result in $72,000 annually, before any additional compensation or deductions. If weekly mileage falls short of that amount, the annual total changes accordingly.

An hourly position paying $28 would produce $1,120 over a 40-hour week, or $58,240 across 52 such weeks. That calculation assumes all 40 hours are paid at the stated rate and doesn’t include overtime or other payments.

Neither example represents a guaranteed Tennessee salary. They demonstrate why drivers need more than an advertised rate to evaluate an offer. Expected weekly mileage, paid working hours, detention provisions, stop pay and bonus conditions can all affect annual earnings.

A regional position offering higher mileage pay may also require a different schedule than a local job with a predictable starting location. Comparing the full arrangement, including home time and unpaid waiting periods, gives a clearer picture of what the compensation actually represents.

Evaluating a Tennessee Trucking Job Offer

The state’s wage data provides a starting point, but an offer should be judged against the work required to earn it. Drivers considering a change should ask carriers how annual earnings estimates are calculated and whether those figures represent typical employee pay or the upper end of an advertised range.

For mileage-based jobs, that means confirming how miles are counted and what weekly volume is reasonably available. Hourly positions call for questions about scheduled hours, overtime eligibility and whether time spent on additional duties is compensated.

Tennessee’s tax structure may also enter the comparison. The state does not impose an individual income tax on wages, although federal taxes still apply. Drivers living or working across state lines may have additional obligations depending on another state’s rules, so the absence of Tennessee wage income tax should not be treated as a guarantee of identical take-home pay for everyone.

With Memphis and Nashville both reporting median earnings above the statewide figure, location is worth considering alongside freight type and schedule. Still, the strongest comparison comes from examining what an individual carrier pays for the work a driver will actually perform.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Truck Driver Pay

How many truck driving jobs are included in Tennessee’s wage estimates?

The BLS estimated 64,890 heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver jobs in Tennessee in May 2025. This occupational count does not include everyone who holds a commercial driver’s license or every type of commercial vehicle operator.

Is Memphis the highest-paying trucking market in Tennessee?

Not necessarily. Memphis recorded a median annual wage of $63,070, but that does not make it the highest-paying metropolitan area in the state. For example, the Morristown metropolitan area reported a median of $67,330 in the same BLS dataset.

Do the wage figures include self-employed owner-operators?

The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program measures wage and salary employment and generally excludes self-employed workers. Its figures should not be used to estimate an owner-operator’s business revenue or take-home profit.

Are truck drivers in Tennessee automatically entitled to overtime pay?

No. Certain employees working as drivers, helpers, loaders or mechanics may qualify for the federal Motor Carrier Act overtime exemption, depending on their duties and the employer’s operations. Coverage is determined by the applicable law and the circumstances of the position, not simply by holding a commercial driver’s license.

Does the Tennessee median represent a starting salary?

No. The median is the midpoint of the occupation’s wage distribution, meaning half of the workers earned more and half earned less. It is not an entry-level pay rate or a guarantee of what a newly hired driver will receive.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: October 15, 2026