5 Best States for Truck Drivers in 2024

Experience and efficiency are essential for success in the shipping and transport industry, as is understanding the best locations or states for truck drivers. As a third-party trucking broker, Nationwide Transport Services provides solutions that open opportunities for truck drivers in several states in the United States.

Choosing the best states for truck driving jobs varies based on several factors, including demand for these professional drivers, cost of living, quality of life, average pay, job opportunities, and shipping and infrastructure network.

However, some states rank among the top for truck drivers.

The Top 5 States To Be a Truck Driver

The transport and shipping industry offers many benefits and perks for truck drivers. However, to maximize such opportunities, truck drivers need to do and focus on certain things. One primary consideration is choosing the best states for truck drivers that support their careers. Here are five states with the best opportunities for truck drivers.

5. Kentucky

Kentucky is one of the states with the highest number of job opportunities for truck drivers. The average annual salary is about $68,500, with the lowest at about $46,000 and the highest at $101,000.

In Kentucky, several cities are safe and ideal for raising a family, so you will not worry much about your family’s safety as a truck driver on duty. Also, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), Kentucky’s location quotient is 2.03.

The states also have established regulations and policies favorable to developing the transport and shipping sector. These include well-developed infrastructure and tax incentives for trucking companies.

4. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is another state that offers opportunities for truck drivers. It also has high job openings for truck drivers. The annual average salary for truck drivers in this state is about $68,200; the lowest is $45,000, and the highest is $101,000.

If you consider working in Pennsylvania as a truck driver, consider these cities:

• Philadelphia
• Scranton
• Harrisburg
• Pittsburgh

According to BLS, Pennsylvania’s location quotient is 1.43. The state is also one of the most tax-friendly, making it easy to establish a trucking business. It’s also well-positioned with critical features like the Liberty Bell and the Independence Hall.

3. Iowa

Iowa is one of the safest states in the United States. This makes it an excellent place to raise a family and ideal for trucking opportunities. The violent crime rate is 3.85 per 1,000 people, lower than the nation’s 4.49 rate.

The average annual pay for truck drivers is about $67,723, with the lowest or entry-level standing at about $50,000 and the highest-paid truck drivers making $92,375. There are also various fun things about Iowa, like:

• Oldest running theater since 1913 in Story City
• The oldest grant college is the Iowa State University
• The largest cereal company in the world, Quaker Oats
• The world’s shortest and steepest railway, Fenelon Place Elevator

2. Delaware

Delaware is strategically located among significant cities with a constant demand for truck drivers, which has resulted in several opportunities for transport and shipping jobs. Suppose you are looking for opportunities for truck drivers in Delaware. In that case, the average annual salary is about $70,901, the lowest is about $47,000, and the highest is about $106,000.

Also, according to BLS, the location quotient stands at 1.37. The availability of trucking jobs in Delaware makes it an attractive place for truck drivers, with data showing more than 1,400 opportunities.

If you are looking for ideal cities to live in, consider the following:

• Delaware City
• Harrington
• Wilmington
• Dover

1. Ohio

Ohio State’s easy access to the East Coast and the west and south routes puts it at the top of our list of the best states for truck drivers. There are about 15,146 truck driving job opportunities in Ohio.

The average annual salary is $65,665, with the lowest being about $44,000 and the highest over $96,000. While these are the standard pay rates, truck drivers can earn above Ohio’s national average.

According to BLS, the location quotient is 1.72, with several cities in Ohio safe and ideal for raising your family, such as:

• Canton
• Mansfield
• Wooster
• Van Wert
• Columbus
• Lima

These five states have freight brokers to help you get good, high-paying truck driving jobs. Several factors determine the right location for your next truck driving job. Carefully consider the available opportunities for truck drivers and pick the best state.