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Truck driver salary in Kentucky

How much does a Truck Driver make in Kentucky?

Average base salary

$1,561
same
as national average
Average $1,561
Low $945
High $2,578
Non-cash benefit
401(k)
View more benefits

The average salary for a truck driver is $1,561 per week in Kentucky. 14.9k salaries reported, updated at November 29, 2023

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Getting paid as a Truck Driver by operating mode

Solo drivers must take time to stop and sleep between shifts. In a team driving situation, two truck drivers make runs together. Owner operators generally earn a higher gross salary but take home pay is reduced by expenses.

Company Team Driver

$0.47 - $0.74
per mile
Up to 6,500 miles per week
Estimated average of $3,313 per week

Company Solo Driver

$0.40 - $0.56
per mile
Up to 3,000 miles per week
Estimated average of $1,112 per week

Owner Operator Driver

$0.94 - $1.75
per mile
Up to 3,000 miles per week
Estimated average of $3,084 per week

Salaries by years of experience in Kentucky

Years of experiencePer week
Less than 1 year
1 to 2 years
3 to 5 years
6 to 9 years
More than 10 years
View job openings with the years of experience that is relevant to you on Indeed
View jobs
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Getting paid as a Truck Driver by route type

OTR drivers spend weeks on the road but will command the highest salary. Regional drivers will stay within one area, which will generally mean they can come home on the weekends. Local drivers stay in-state and can generally come home each night, but are paid the least.

OTR Driver

$0.46 - $0.60
per mile
Up to 3,000 miles per week
4.2% of the OTR drivers get weekly home-time.

Regional Driver

$0.43 - $0.55
per mile
Up to 2,900 miles per week
63.6% of the regional drivers get weekly home-time.

Local Driver

$0.53 - $0.56
per mile
Up to 2,000 miles per week
23.3% of the local drivers get daily home-time.

Top companies for Truck Drivers in Kentucky

  1. SYGMA Network
    2.9
    702 reviews1.5k salaries reported
    $1,744per week
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Highest paying cities for Truck Drivers near Kentucky

  1. Elizabethtown, KY
    $2,189 per week
    596 salaries reported
  2. Owensboro, KY
    $2,126 per week
    730 salaries reported
  3. Florence, KY
    $2,078 per week
    673 salaries reported
  1. Bowling Green, KY
    $1,952 per week
    1k salaries reported
  2. Somerset, KY
    $1,854 per week
    129 salaries reported
  3. Louisville, KY
    $1,836 per week
    2.1k salaries reported
  1. Hebron, KY
    $1,753 per week
    218 salaries reported
  2. London, KY
    $1,735 per week
    158 salaries reported
  3. Shepherdsville, KY
    $1,628 per week
    136 salaries reported
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Where can a Truck Driver earn more?

Compare salaries for Truck Drivers in different locations
vs
Explore Truck Driver openings
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Best-paid skills and qualifications for Truck Drivers

Most recommended license

Doubles/Triples Endorsement(earn +7.59% more)

The jobs requiring this license have increase by 38.50% since 2018. Truck Drivers with this license earn +7.59% more than the average base salary, which is $1,561 per week.

Job Trend
YearNumber of job openings on Indeed requiring this licenseChange from previous year
201113increase by 13
20127516increase by 57715.38%
201336898increase by 390.93%
201484918increase by 130.14%
2015153542increase by 80.81%
201654705decrease by 64.37%
201752949decrease by 3.21%
201852270decrease by 1.28%
201972394increase by 38.50%

Top companies hiring Truck Drivers on Indeed

FirstFleet
NS Express LLC
NAVIGATOR EXPRESS
American Pro Staffing
Career Servant LLC
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Top skills
Owner-Operator
+47.83%salary
Top certifications
TWIC Card
+10.73%salary
Top fields of study
Public Health Degree
+13.87%salary

More critical skills and qualifications that pay well

Top SkillsSalaryJob openingsCompanies
981 jobs20,714
5,883 jobs101,900
2,861 jobs44,474
2,083 jobs65,150
235 jobs2,405
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The most common pay model for truck drivers in Kentucky

Pay PeriodSalary
Per mile$0.48
Per week$1,112
Per month$4,447
Per year$44,475

Every company has a different compensation plan. There are advantages to different pay and models, and you need to be fully informed either way. Tell us about your salary to help other job seekers.

Most common benefits for Truck Drivers

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • AD&D insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee discount
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Flexible spending account
  • Fuel card
  • Fuel discount
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Paid orientation
  • Paid sick time
  • Paid time off
  • Paid toll fees
  • Paid training
  • Parental leave
  • Passenger ride along program
  • Pet rider program
  • Prescription drug insurance
  • Profit sharing
  • Referral program
  • Retirement plan
  • Safety equipment provided
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance
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Salary satisfaction

Based on 44,325 ratings

51% of Truck Drivers in the United States think their salaries are enough for the cost of living in their area.

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How much do similar professions get paid in Kentucky?

Driver

Job openings

Average $17.15 per hour

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Common questions about salaries for a Truck Driver

What is the highest paying truck driving job?

Tanker drivers are some of the highest paid truck drivers.

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Do you make good money as a truck driver?

According to Indeed user ratings, 51% of truck drivers believe their salary is enough for cost of living in their area.

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Is pay based on a per-mile rate or an hourly rate?

Every company has a different compensation plan. There are benefits to both pay models, and you need to be fully informed either way.

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How much does a truck driver make an hour?

Can truck drivers make $100k?

How much does the average CDL driver make?

What state pays truck drivers the most?

How much more I can earn if I become an owner-operator truck driver from a truck driver?

What is the highest paying truck driving company?

How can I know if I am being paid fairly as a truck driver?

How can I earn more as a truck driver?

How much do similar professions to truck driver get paid?

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