CDL & Transportation Programs
CDL programs train students to operate commercial motor vehicles for trucking, logistics, bus driving, and heavy transport.
Avg Salary
$36,693
Job Growth
+4%
BLS SOC
53-3032
Programs Tracked
660
Top CDL & Transportation Schools
Advanced Career Institute
Visalia, CA
Earnings
$41K
Cost/yr
N/A
Advanced Technology Institute
Virginia Beach, VA
Earnings
$46K
Cost/yr
$26K
All-State Career School
Essington, PA
Earnings
$38K
Cost/yr
$24K
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh
West Mifflin, PA
Earnings
$33K
Cost/yr
$20K
All-State Career-Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
Earnings
$33K
Cost/yr
$23K
Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology
Fort Pierce, FL
Earnings
$68K
Cost/yr
$44K
Bishop State Community College
Mobile, AL
Earnings
$30K
Cost/yr
$12K
Boone Career and Technical Center
Foster, WV
Earnings
N/A
Cost/yr
N/A
Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Fort Totten, ND
Earnings
$17K
Cost/yr
$14K
Central Technology Center
Drumright, OK
Earnings
$36K
Cost/yr
N/A
What You Can Earn
Based on federal earnings data from 660 programs in this field.
Top-Earning Specializations
Air Transportation
253 programs · 23 data points
Transportation and Materials Moving, Other
13 programs · 3 data points
Marine Transportation
34 programs · 13 data points
Ground Transportation
360 programs · 217 data points
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1-year earnings after graduation)
Key Certifications
Common Programs
- Class A CDL
- Class B CDL
- Hazmat Endorsement
- Tanker Endorsement
What Workers Say
r/TruckersCommunity Consensus
Positive - Competitive salary for entry, major carriers improving pay, strong earning potential with experience or specializations. Good for those comfortable with travel lifestyle.
Top Advice
- Walmart and major carriers now paying $95-110K for company drivers
- Owner-operators can earn $150K-$300K annually
- Hazmat certification provides $65K-$120K+ opportunities
Watch Out For
- Time away from family and lifestyle demands
- Owner-operator path requires significant capital and business skills
- Regulatory changes and autonomous vehicle threat
Community-Recommended Certs
Sourced from community discussions · Not financial or career advice
Where Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Pay the Most
National median: $54,320 · 2,100,000 employed · 231,100 openings/yr
Top-Paying States
Lowest-Paying States
Job Outlook
Chronic driver shortage keeps wages high. Owner-operators can earn $80K–$120K+. Short programs (4–8 weeks) offer fast path to employment.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024
Earnings Snapshot
Real Salaries Reported
$73,147 (average 2026)
Range: $45,000 (new) - $300,000+ (owner-operators)
r/Truckers community reports
Career Deep Dive
CDL & Transportation Career Path
Day-to-day work, wages, advancement →
Browse All CDL & Transportation SchoolsCDL & Transportation: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does CDL school take?+
Most CDL training programs take 3–7 weeks for the Class A CDL, though some community college programs run 6–15 weeks for more thorough training. ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) is now required by federal law and must be completed at an FMCSA-registered school before taking the CDL skills test.
How much do CDL truck drivers earn?+
The median annual wage for heavy truck drivers is $54,320 according to BLS 2023 data. OTR (over-the-road) drivers typically earn $60,000–$85,000+. Owner-operators can earn $100,000–$200,000+ gross (before business expenses). Specialized drivers (hazmat, oversized loads, tanker) command premiums of $10,000–$30,000 above standard rates.
What endorsements should I get with my CDL?+
The most valuable endorsements are Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), and the combination HazMat/Tanker (X). These increase your employability and earnings potential significantly. School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements are required for those careers. Double/Triple trailers (T) is useful for western states operations.
Can I get a CDL with a DUI or criminal record?+
It depends on the offense and timing. A DUI results in a 1-year CDL disqualification (3 years for hazmat drivers) for a first offense. Certain felonies permanently disqualify you from obtaining a Hazmat endorsement. Each case is different. Contact your state's DMV and consult with an attorney if you have concerns about your driving or criminal record.
What is the trucking job market like?+
The CDL driver shortage has moderated from its pandemic-era peak but remains real, particularly for specialized and regional driving. The BLS projects modest 4% growth through 2033. E-commerce fulfillment continues to drive demand for local and regional drivers. The sector faces long-term disruption from autonomous vehicles, though most industry experts expect full automation to be 10–20+ years away for most routes.