How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in Florida?

Florida is a complicated logistical system. Known for its sunshine, oranges, and tourism, it presents a different set of challenges and opportunities for the trucking industry. But unlike the industrial Midwest or Texas’s freight encroaching corridors, Florida is also a “consumption state” – it consumes far more freight than it produces. This dynamic heavily influences how much does a truck driver make in Florida. While drivers often enjoy high rates when entering the state, it can be an economic hazard to get profitable freight out of the peninsula, especially during the produce off-season.

Drivers interested in the “Sunshine State” need to know the differences in pay structures. It’s not just cents per mile; it’s about lane planning, seasonal timing and location. For an even greater understanding of national average earnings and how Florida compares to the rest of the nation, read our detailed article, “How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in 2026”. We will then explain how driving in Florida in 2026 is different from the economic realities of living there, going from a local job to a long haul flatbed out of Miami.

Truck Driver Salary in Florida: The Baseline Figures

Truck driver salary in Florida should not be viewed as a mere average; it should also be treated so when considering the government statistics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and private job aggregators like ZipRecruiter provide a general picture, but often combine the entry level delivery jobs with the more lucrative specialized hauling services.

As of early 2026, the average salary of truck drivers in Florida is about $61,143 per year. This comes to about $1,175 weekly or $5,095 per month. But, this average is only a beginning. Drivers with a clear safety record and endorsements, who have a long-established track record will earn considerably more. While rookie drivers may get near $45,000.

Florida also has a relatively high geographic variance in salary for truck drivers. Florida is a vast state that has many economic zones.

• Jacksonville: A major seaport and crossing point for the routes of I-95 and I-10. Steady freight and decent pay.
• Orlando: This location benefits from being involved in distribution for both tourism and retail businesses, so there will be plenty of dry van freight.
• Miami: Rates of pay in Miami are very good, but high living expenses in South Florida can negate this if drivers don’t plan their trips back home. Take-home pay is reduced if drivers in this location don’t plan their return trips wisely.

On a daily basis, a truck driver in the state of Florida can earn between $200 and $350 depending on miles and additional payments. There are chances of driving empty out of state in search of cargo from Georgia or Alabama, which might reduce earnings.

How Much Does Local Truck Driver Salary in Florida Vary?

Many CDL drivers dream of sleeping in their own bed each night and thus local driving becomes their ultimate goal. Florida‘s local truck driver salaries are very variable and may be different city to city depending on the type of cargo being transported. In 2026, Florida residents work an hourly rate of $22 - $30 for semi-truck drivers. This provides a combined annual income of between $47,000 and $65,000. But, earnings can vary greatly depending on the region of local hauling you choose:

• Port Drayage: Truck drivers working out of Port Miami, Port Everglades, or JAXPORT hauling containers (drayage) can earn more. They are often paid per load rather than per hour. However, this work is subject to port congestion and detention delays.
• Food Service & Beverage: Companies delivering to Florida’s massive network of hotels, restaurants, and theme parks often pay a premium. These "touch freight" jobs are physically demanding but can push the local truck driver salary in Florida toward $75,000 per year for those willing to do the heavy lifting.
• Construction: With constant infrastructure projects along the I-4 corridor, dump truck and concrete mixer drivers are in high demand, though these positions are often hourly and subject to weather delays.

While the local truck driver salary in Florida might appear lower on paper compared to OTR, the elimination of over-the-road expenses – like shower credits, truck stop food, and time away from family – adds significant value to the "local" paycheck.

CDL Driver Salary in Florida

The State of Florida offers higher wages for Class A drivers operating Over-The-Road (OTR) routes. Seasoned flatbed driver can earn even more by hauling specialized trailers. In 2026, Florida-based carriers are charging company drivers a charge between $0.48 and $0.65 CPM.

• Dry Van: This is Florida’s most common freight vehicle and handles consumer goods and retail freight. Florida dry van specialists receive a median CDL driver salary of $58,000 to $70,000 a year. The market is competitive, but there is constant volume.
• Flatbed: The construction boom in “The Sunshine State” creates a demand for seasoned, safe flatbed truckers to haul lumber, steel, and heavy machinery. Flatbed driving might pay more due to the physical labor involved in tarps and loading the trucks. Flatbed truckers in the state earn between $65,000 to $85,000 a year, but they do not want to run loads from the ports or into a new, growing state.
• Reefer (Refrigerated): Reefer is the flexible choice for trucking in Florida. Florida turns from a consumer state into a producer state during produce season, which is generally from April to July. Farmers produce watermelon, citrus fruits, and berries, as well as corn. It is a time when there is a big increase in freight rates for carrying goods out of Florida. It is also a lucrative time for a CDL holder with a reefer.

The Real-World CPM Trade-Off: Pay vs. Home Time

When evaluating truck driver salary in Florida, one must consider the trade-off between CPM and home time. Because Florida is geographically isolated at the bottom of the map, getting drivers home can be logistically expensive for carriers.

• Regional Carriers: These are smaller regional carriers whose operations range in the Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina) and often offer drivers more opportunities to go home weekly or every two weeks. These carriers might compensate for lower miles with a little extra CPM or a guarantee of weekly income.
• National Carriers: Large "Mega Carriers" recruiting in Florida often require drivers to stay out for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. This allows the carrier to move the driver out of Florida, keep them running in high-volume lanes in the Midwest or Northeast, and only bring them back for home time once a month. While this lifestyle is harder, it often results in higher total annual mileage and, consequently, a higher gross salary.

The "Florida Factor": Produce Season and Backhauls

To get any sense of how to make money in this state, you have to understand the "Florida Factor." Florida consumes more than it produces, as above. This creates a conflict:

1. Inbound Freight (Headhaul): Interstate rates are generally higher than Miami and Orlando because everybody wants to get his goods to customers.
2. Outbound Freight (Backhaul): Rates out of Florida are notoriously low during the quiet season, August-March. Carriers often drive for low loads only to get their trucks back north to Atlanta or Charlotte.

But the Produce Season rewrites this script. During the months of mid-March and July, Florida becomes one of the nation’s biggest markets for freight.

• Watermelons & Veggies: When the harvest hits, capacity tightens instantly.
• Rate Spikes: During this window, drivers can command premiums. Owner operator drivers are not uncommon to have rates jump from $1.50 a mile to over $3.00 a mile on outbound lanes during peak harvest weeks.
• Strategy: Drivers who specialize in Reefer or Flatbed (hauling farm equipment/supplies) can make a significant portion of their yearly income during these few months.

Owner Operator Economics in Florida

Florida is a high-risk, high-growth market for an owner-operator. But, the amount of revenue a produce season could generate is huge, and operating costs in Florida are different.

• Insurance Expenses: This is the biggest challenge. Florida ranks amongst the costliest states in the country when it comes to insurance premiums for carriers. An owner-operator in Florida might pay from $12,000 to $25,000 per year in premiums. These costs are significantly higher than for an OO based in Ohio or Texas.
• Tolls: Florida is home to an extensive network of toll roads (Turnpikes, Expressways). If a truck driver isn’t careful about routing, he might have to pay over $50 in tolls one way from Ocala to Miami.
• Maintenance: There is wear and tear on equipment because the environment is hot and filled with humidity, especially with the cooling system and tires. Despite this cost, an astute owner/operator can realize $80,000 to $120,000 or more annually.

What Are the True Factors That Determine Truck Driver Salary in Florida?

Besides the median, there are also a couple of other things that will determine whether or not you are in the bottom 10% or top 10% of the state's income..

1. HazMat or Tanker endorsements: An endorsement can move you up the ladder to more money. Florida has a great deal of chemical and fuel transport needs, especially around the ports and agricultural areas. A HazMat endorsement can add another $0.05-$0.10 CPM, or even significant load bonuses.
2. TWIC Card: The major ports in Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa require a TWIC card to access the most lucrative freight. It allows access to safe ports and offers lucrative drayage and international freight trade.
3. Experience: Florida carriers are risk-averse because insurance premiums are high. Drivers who have 2+ years of confirmed OTR experience are paid significantly lower than new graduates.
4. Location: Living in North Florida, Jacksonville/Tallahassee, often offers better OTR opportunities as you live closer to the freight lanes of I-10 and I-95. Living in South Florida (Miami/Keys) puts you at the “end of the line” and makes it harder to start and stop the trip effectively without deadhead miles.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Looking ahead, the truck driver wage in Florida is likely to settle or grow modestly. The influx of population into the state continues to stimulate demand for construction materials (Flatbed) and consumer goods (Dry Van). In addition, the expansion of Florida ports to accommodate larger post-Panamax vessels reveals an exponential increase in cargo volumes over the long term.

Drivers who adapt to these trends – getting endorsements, keeping clean safety records, and understanding seasonal freight cycles – will be best positioned to maximize earnings in 2026. The days of "easy money" may have waned, but those who drive in Florida as a business can make it lucrative and professional.

Drive With HMD Trucking in Florida

If you are a professional driver looking for a carrier that knows the Florida market very well. HMD Trucking is currently hiring experienced CDL Class A drivers in Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tallahassee. Dry Van and Flatbed OTR positions are available immediately. We have highly competitive CPM rates, high-quality equipment and a staff that enjoys your time on the road. HMD Trucking gives you the strength and pay you deserve – whether you need to haul consistent dry van freight or carry flatbed loads. Apply now and find a carrier that keeps you moving.