Commercial trucking at a glance
These figures give future drivers, employers, reporters, and researchers a clear view of the commercial driving landscape. They combine the latest available federal employment outlook with federal motor carrier and crash data.
2.2 million
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driving jobs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers held about 2.2 million jobs in the United States in 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, 2025$58,640
Median annual pay
The national median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $58,640 in May 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, May 20254%
Projected employment growth
Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, 2025-2035 projection214,500
Average yearly job openings
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 214,500 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, 2025-2035 projection813,844
Active regulated motor carriers
FMCSA counted 813,844 active carriers with a USDOT number in its December 2022 registration snapshot.
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2023 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics, December 20224.17 million
CDL drivers reported by regulated carriers
FMCSA reported 4,172,559 CDL drivers among active regulated carriers in its December 2022 registration snapshot.
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2023 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics, December 2022503,000
Police-reported large-truck crashes
Approximately 503,000 police-reported crashes involved large trucks in 2022. Of those crashes, 5,279 were fatal and 114,000 involved injuries.
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2022, 202282%
Of fatalities were not large-truck occupants
In fatal crashes involving large trucks, 82% of the people killed in 2022 were not occupants of the large truck.
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2022, 2022What these numbers mean for future drivers
Commercial driving covers a wide range of work, from local straight-truck routes to regional and long-haul tractor-trailer jobs. The right CDL class, transmission choice, endorsements, and training path depend on the equipment and work a driver plans to pursue.
For Washington students, start with the state's current licensing requirements, then build real experience with vehicle inspection, backing, maneuvering, road driving, and safe decision-making. M&M offers Class A and Class B CDL training with manual and automatic options, plus dedicated space to practice the skills that matter on test day and beyond.
Methodology and sources
This page uses the most recent figures available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as of September 9, 2026. Employment and pay figures describe heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Carrier, driver, and crash figures use FMCSA's published definitions for regulated carriers and large trucks. Data years vary by source and are shown with every statistic.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: 2023 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2022
Cite this page
M&M Trucking School. "Truck Driver Statistics: Employment, Pay, and Safety." Updated September 9, 2026. https://mmtruckingschool.net/truck-driver-statistics