How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in Illinois?

Illinois isn’t just the center point of the Midwest; it is the center point of the nation’s freight system as well. Due to the unique position of Chicago, large-scale logistics is processed in and around the city. Chicago is also a large metro area, and there is an unending need for professional commercial planners and CDL drivers. Every essential transportation network in the United States either crosses through or runs right beside Illinois. For the CDL drivers working in the Chicagoland area, the most pertinent question is, “How much does a truck driver make in Illinois?”

To find out about the national level of these figures as well as what they are compared to earnings for the country, check out our full analysis of "How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in 2025?"?

Truck drivers in Illinois earn more than the average for most states, and this is also a factor of the constant high volume of specialized freight. Highly skilled drivers can earn six-figure salaries, and even more!

Truck Driver Salary in Illinois: The Baseline Figures

From a distance, generalized state figures seem to convey a sense of moderation. If considering the question, how much does a truck driver make in Illinois for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, the Illinois state average is $58,320 annually, equating to roughly $28.04 hourly, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

However, the $58,320 figure is on the lower end of what a truck driver can earn. This figure is likely to encompass drivers who only do local, low-mileage, and lower-paying routes. To understand what the true truck driver salary is in Illinois for experienced long-haul OTR drivers, one must look at the segments near the Chicago hub and analyze the drivers who pursue the highest earning potential in the industry.

How Much Do Local Truck Drivers Make in Illinois?

The pay is good for Illinois local truck drivers. Illinois provides extremely lucrative pay around Chicagoland. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the area of Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is about $62,320 and is fully aware of competitive pay and higher wages for drivers. Also, the higher the cost of living, the more lucrative the pay for drivers. For drivers, Chicagoland is more demanding.

For local truck drivers, most pay is by the hour, which is $20-$35 an hour. which is good pay for most drivers. This is a good system because the drivers do not need to worry about the road condition and the waiting time. This system is for drivers who prefer a steady paycheck.

CDL Driver Salary in Illinois: OTR and Specialization Premium

If you’re ready to run specialized, long-haul freight, your CDL driver salary in Illinois can reach the highest echelons of the industry. The core of superior earnings is specialization, particularly in high-risk, high-skill operations.

Dry Van vs. Flatbed: The $15,000 Difference

While OTR dry van drivers average a strong $79,286 annual income, specializing in flatbed hauling immediately boosts your pay due to the increased labor required for securing, chaining, and tarping loads. The confirmed annual average salary for experienced Flatbed OTR drivers in Illinois reaches $94,232, demonstrating a premium of over $15,000 for this highly skilled work. This is the average truck driver salary in Illinois for specialized OTR drivers.

How Accessorial Pay Boosts Your Earnings?

When calculating your CDL driver salary in Illinois, the base CPM is only half the story. Flatbed drivers, for instance, earn specific accessorial pay (often $30 or more per load) for tarping and securing freight. This guaranteed bonus income makes the CDL driver salary in Illinois for specialized freight much higher than standard dry van work, even if the base rate per mile seems similar.

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

In Illinois, the competition for drivers revolves around a direct trade-off between the advertised CPM and the predictability of your weekly home time, a choice determined by carrier size.

• Mega-Carriers: These kinds of companies give employees the opportunity to work under stable W-2 positions with benefits that cover everything and a base CPM that ranges between $0.55 and $0.65 for dry van drivers with experience. These companies get to maintain dedicated routes in their massive networks that allow the drivers to have predictable home time. This includes time off weekly or biweekly, and due to guaranteed income stability, drivers can rest assured, even though base pay rates may be lower.
• Small Carriers: Smaller, specialized carriers often advertise CPMs pushing into the $0.65 to $0.75 range to attract talent. This higher rate is transactional: it compensates the driver for the significant sacrifice of home life. These small fleets usually require drivers to stay out for three to four consecutive weekly periods, maximizing asset utilization but limiting personal time. The extra money you earn is the direct payment for extended time away from home.

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

Your earning capacity in Illinois depends on factors beyond just your CPM.

Experience and Seniority

The longer you drive professionally, the higher your pay climbs.

• Entry-Level (0–1 Year): New drivers focus on skill, starting their annual pay between $34,500 and $50,000.
• Senior Drivers (5+ Years): These OTR professionals become essential assets, commanding high-paying loads and driving their earnings to more than $80,000 and up to $120,000 or more.

CDL Endorsements (The Skill Multiplier)

Specialized endorsements make you valuable and justify premium pay:

• Hazmat (H) Endorsement: Required for dangerous goods. Because of the extreme risk of a Hazmat incident, this endorsement commands a substantial pay premium and higher accessorial rates, sometimes reaching up to $125 per hour for detention on specialized loads.
• Tanker (N) Endorsement: Required for bulk liquids or gases. This generally adds an extra $3,000 to $7,000 per year to your overall CDL salary.

Pay Structure: CPM vs. Percentage

Your pay model defines your risk and reward:

• Cents Per Mile (CPM): The most common model for OTR drivers, offering stability and control over your income based on miles driven.
• Percentage of Load: Typically 20% – 35% for company drivers. Your pay directly links to the freight rate. This is great when rates are high but risky when the market is soft.

Owner-Operator Potential

As an owner-operator with a strong work ethic in Illinois, gross revenue can reach as high as $380,000, with a minimum of around $200,000. While being an owner-operator can be highly profitable, the actual annual income – typically between $70,000 and $150,000 – depends largely on variable costs such as truck maintenance. Don't forget that diesel fuel alone can cost around $70,000 per year.

Looking Forward to 2026

All industries show strong salary prospects for drivers in Illinois. This is largely due to an aging workforce. More than 57% of drivers are over 45! Illinois trucking companies, in a very competitive market, pay more to hold onto and attract skilled drivers capable of meeting the intricate logistics needs of the U.S. Midwest.

HMD Trucking offers a wide range of positions for your career choice in the Illinois market and is regularly looking to recruit for CDL jobs, as well as specialized positions with varying degrees of pay. Available programs include solo dry van and Flatbed Over-the-road (OTR) positions, highly lucrative OTR HazMat team positions, and owner-operator and lease purchase programs. In this section you find all the positions available and can apply immediately and see all positions listed for immediate review on their job page.