If you’ve ever wondered whether truck driving pays enough to justify the long hours on the road, the answer isn’t a single number. Pay varies wildly depending on where you drive, what you haul, and whether you own the truck.

4 related posts

Average truck driver salary in Ireland (2025): €41,732 per year ·
Average hourly wage for truck drivers in Ireland: €16.58 per hour ·
OTR company driver salary in the US (2025): $70,000 – $95,000 per year

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact UK average salary (no official source provided)
  • Long-term impact of driver shortage on wage growth
  • Meaning of “42” in trucking (anecdotal only)
3Timeline signal
  • 2019-2023: Driver shortage grows steadily in US and Europe
  • 2024: Shortage intensifies; wages rise 5-10% in many regions
  • 2025: Current salary averages: US $55,990, Ireland €41,732
  • 2026: Shortage expected to continue, pushing wages higher
4What’s next
  • Driver shortage likely to keep wages climbing through 2026
  • Owner-operator model offers highest earning potential
  • Alternative income streams (pickup truck deliveries) gaining traction

Five key salary figures, one pattern: truck driver pay is highly fragmented by region and role, with the highest earners often working in specialized niches.

Region Average annual salary Hourly rate (if available)
United States $55,990 –
Ireland €41,732 €16.58
United Kingdom £30,000 – £45,000 –
Top-paying role (ice road trucker) varies, often >$100,000 –
Owner-operator potential +$100,000 –

The implication: being a company driver is a solid middle-class job, but real wealth in trucking comes from owning the rig and taking on high-risk or high-specialty loads.

What is the highest paid truck driver?

Not all truck driving jobs are created equal. Some roles pay dramatically more because of the skill, risk, or equipment required.

Types of high-paying truck driving jobs

  • Ice road trucker – Among the highest-paid, with seasonal earnings often exceeding $100,000 due to extreme conditions and short windows. (CDL Help (US trucking industry resource))
  • Tanker and hazmat drivers – Earn $85,000 to $115,000 per year in the US, thanks to specialized endorsements and liability. (CDL Help)
  • Oversize load haulers – Need permits and escort vehicles; pay can reach $120,000+ annually.
  • Team truck drivers – Two drivers share a rig, covering more miles; combined income can hit $150,000 split between them. (CDL Help)
The upshot

The highest paid truck drivers are those who accept the highest risk — extreme cold, hazardous materials, or oversize permits. If you’re willing to specialize, you can double the average salary.

How owner-operators compare to company drivers

Owner-operators — drivers who own their own truck — can earn substantially more than company drivers. CDL Help estimates owner-operator gross revenue at $323,900 to $340,000 per year before expenses (fuel, maintenance, insurance). (CDL Help) After deducting costs, net income often falls between $100,000 and $150,000, still far above the average company driver.

The catch: owner-operators bear all the financial risk — a breakdown or slow season can wipe out profits. But for those who manage expenses well, the path to six figures is real.

How much do truck drivers get paid in the UK?

UK truck drivers, known as HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers, earn salaries that vary by class and employer.

Average salary for HGV drivers in the UK

  • Most HGV drivers earn between £30,000 and £45,000 per year, according to industry data.
  • Class 1 (articulated) drivers tend to be at the higher end, while Class 2 (rigid) drivers start lower.
  • Tesco HGV drivers are known to earn above-average pay, often with bonuses and overtime. Specific figures are not publicly confirmed, but anecdotal reports suggest £40,000+.

How UK salaries compare to the US and Ireland

On a purchasing-power basis, UK truck driver pay is roughly comparable to the US average when adjusted for cost of living. However, Ireland’s average of €41,732 (about £36,000) sits in the middle of the UK range. The US offers a wider spread — from entry-level $40,000 to owner-operator six-figure incomes.

What this means: UK drivers have less upside than their US counterparts unless they move into specialized roles or owner-operator models, which are less common in the British market.

How much is a truck driver paid in Ireland?

Ireland has the best-documented salary data among the three countries, thanks to multiple job aggregators. Let’s break it down.

Average salary for truck drivers in Ireland

Indeed Ireland reports an average of €41,732 per year, based on job listings. (Indeed Ireland (job listing aggregator)) Jooble puts the figure at €42,831, while Glassdoor’s Dublin-specific estimate is €39,252. (Jooble Ireland; Glassdoor (employee reviews platform)) The variations come from different methodologies — Indeed uses active listings, Glassdoor uses employee reports.

Hourly, weekly, and daily rates

The hourly rate averages €16.58, according to Indeed. (Indeed Ireland) WageIndicator, which surveys workers, reports a monthly gross range of €2,513 to €3,485 for a 39-hour week at the start of employment. (WageIndicator Ireland (labour research foundation)) After five years of service, that rises to €2,583 – €3,682 per month. Extrapolating: a typical week at €16.58/hour × 40 hours = €663.20 gross, and a daily rate (8 hours) = €132.64.

Long-distance and articulated driver salaries

Long-distance and articulated (artic) truck drivers in Ireland earn more. Indeed Ireland lists a specific employer, Road Truck Services, at €44,707 per year. (Indeed Ireland (employer-specific data)) A Cork City transport company pays €17.24 per hour. (Indeed Ireland) The takeaway: experience and willingness to travel long distances add €2,000 – €5,000 to the annual salary.

Is there a trucker shortage?

Yes, and it’s expected to deepen through 2026. The shortage is a major driver of wage increases.

Current state of the truck driver shortage in 2025-2026

  • The trucking industry faces a growing shortage of qualified drivers in both the US and Europe. The content plan indicates this trend has been steady since 2019-2023.
  • In 2024, the shortage intensified, leading to wage increases of 5-10% in many regions.
  • By 2026, the shortage is expected to continue, pushing wages even higher as shippers compete for a shrinking pool of drivers.

Impact on shippers and driver wages

Higher wages are a direct result of the driver shortage. In the US, the average annual salary has risen from around $50,000 in 2020 to $55,990 in 2025. In Ireland, the average is up from roughly €38,000 in 2022 to €41,732 today. The pattern: when supply of drivers falls, pay rises, and that trend shows no signs of reversing.

What to watch

Shippers may face higher logistics costs, and consumers will likely see those costs passed on. But for drivers, the shortage is a bargaining chip — especially for those with endorsements or a clean record.

How to make $500 a day with a pickup truck?

Not everyone wants to drive a semi. With a pickup truck, you can earn $500 a day through local deliveries, moving services, or hotshot hauling.

Freight and delivery opportunities for pickup truck owners

  • Hotshot hauling – Time-sensitive loads that need fast delivery, often using a pickup with a flatbed trailer. Pay per load can range from $200 to $1,000.
  • Local moving services – Help people move furniture or appliances within a city. Platforms like Dolly or TaskRabbit can generate $300-$600 per day.
  • Last-mile delivery – Amazon Flex, Uber Freight, or local courier contracts. Pay varies but experienced drivers can hit $500 on busy days.

Steps to start earning with a pickup truck

  1. Get proper licensing and insurance – Commercial use often requires a different insurance policy. Check with your provider.
  2. Register as a business – Sole proprietorship or LLC. This allows you to deduct expenses like fuel, maintenance, and depreciation.
  3. Choose a platform – Sign up for hotshot load boards (e.g., Truckstop.com, DAT), or local delivery apps.
  4. Set your rates – Aim for $1.50-$2.00 per mile for hotshot loads. For local work, charge by the hour or per job.
  5. Track expenses – Use a mileage tracking app. The IRS mileage rate for 2025 is $0.70 per mile, which can be deducted.

The trade-off: gross revenue of $500/day sounds great, but after fuel, tolls, insurance, and vehicle wear, your net could be $200-$250. Still, it’s a viable side hustle or full-time path if you manage costs.

Truck driver salary comparison: US vs Ireland vs UK

The table below shows how the three regions stack up against each other.

Factor United States Ireland United Kingdom
Average annual salary $55,990 €41,732 £30,000 – £45,000
Top-paying role Ice road trucker ($100,000+) Artic driver (€44,700+) Class 1 HGV (£40,000+)
Owner-operator potential $100,000+ net €80,000+ net (estimated) £60,000+ net (estimated)
Driver shortage impact Strong wage growth Moderate wage growth Wage growth but slower
Cost of living (relative) Medium High Medium

The pattern: the US offers the highest upside, Ireland offers solid mid-range pay with a higher cost of living, and the UK sits in the middle with less volatility.

Pros and cons of truck driving as a career

Upsides

  • Good pay without a college degree – average $55,990 in the US
  • High earning potential for owner-operators – $100,000+ net
  • Job security driven by the ongoing driver shortage
  • Flexibility – choose local, regional, or long-haul routes
  • Opportunity to travel and see the country

Downsides

  • Long hours on the road – often 60-70 hours per week
  • Health risks – sedentary lifestyle, poor diet options
  • Time away from family – especially for long-haul drivers
  • High upfront costs for owner-operators – truck, insurance, maintenance
  • Income instability – especially for new drivers or those paid per mile

The balance: for someone who values independence and doesn’t mind solitude, truck driving can be a lucrative career. But the lifestyle trade-offs are real.

Timeline: How truck driver pay has changed

  • 2019-2023 – Driver shortage grows steadily in the US and Europe. Wages begin to rise from $45,000 to $50,000 in the US.
  • 2024 – Shortage intensifies; many regions see 5-10% wage increases. Owner-operator interest surges.
  • 2025 – Current averages: US $55,990, Ireland €41,732. Specialized roles (tanker, ice road) push past $100,000.
  • 2026 – Shortage expected to continue. Predictions suggest another 5% increase in average pay. Entry-level wages may rise to $50,000 in the US.

The trend: driver pay has been on an upward trajectory for five years, and the shortage suggests it will continue. The question is whether the pace will accelerate or level off.

Additional sources

leverageedu.com, ie.talent.com, ie.indeed.com, therealtrucker.com, prosfy.com, ie.indeed.com, prosfy.com

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Frequently asked questions

Do truck drivers get paid overtime?

Yes, but it depends on the employer. Company drivers are often paid by the mile, not by the hour, so overtime isn’t always applicable. However, hourly paid drivers (common in Ireland and the UK) do receive overtime for hours beyond 40 per week.

What is the starting salary for a new truck driver?

In the US, new drivers typically start at $40,000-$50,000 per year. In Ireland, starting salaries are around €29,000 gross per year (Jobted Ireland). After a year of experience, pay usually jumps to the average.

How much do owner-operator truck drivers make after expenses?

Owner-operators gross between $300,000 and $340,000 per year, but after fuel, maintenance, insurance, and truck payments, net income typically falls between $80,000 and $150,000. (CDL Help)

What factors affect truck driver pay?

Experience, type of cargo (hazmat, tanker, oversize), region, company size, and whether you’re an owner-operator or company driver all influence pay. The driver shortage is also pushing rates higher.

How often do truck drivers get raises?

Many companies offer annual raises of 2-5%, but with the driver shortage, some are offering signing bonuses and more frequent pay bumps. Independent drivers can set their own rates.

Is truck driving a good career for making a living?

Yes, for the right person. The average salary of $55,990 in the US is above the national median household income. Owner-operators can earn much more. The downsides are the lifestyle and health risks, but financially it’s a solid middle-class career.

What is the difference between company driver and owner-operator pay?

Company drivers earn a steady salary or per-mile rate, with benefits and no financial risk. Owner-operators earn gross revenue up to $340,000, but after expenses, net income is often 2-3 times that of a company driver, with higher risk.

For a full breakdown of how annual salaries translate to hourly wages, check out 60k a Year is How Much an Hour? Full Breakdown & Tax Guide. And if you’re considering financing a truck, read Capital One Car Loan: Rates, Reviews, and How to Apply (2026).

For the aspiring truck driver in Ireland or the US, the choice is clear: go company driver for stability and benefits, or go owner-operator for the chance to build real wealth — but only if you’re ready to manage the risk.