If you are a commercial driver in the Northeast, you know that the Garden State is the heart of the Atlantic logistics corridor. While drivers down south frequently ask the question, how much does a truck driver make in Florida – the lure of no state income tax and sunny weather – New Jersey is entirely different from Florida, and its reality is driven by density, demand and constant speed. There is a different skill and patience needed to operate a rig here, and the compensation structure is a reflection of that. For a more in-depth view of the national earnings, see our detailed article “How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in 2026?”
This section is going to break down the layers of pay stubs, bonuses, and cost-of-living adjustment so that we can see what you might be earning. We are not looking at numbers on recruitment billboards but what actually hits your bank account when the miles are turned and loads are dropped.
Contents:
Truck Driver Salary in NJ: The Baseline Figures
When we talk about truck driver wages in NJ, we need to start by saying New Jersey is an outlier. It is a state characterized by its proximity to huge consumer markets such as New York City and Philadelphia, and home to the Port of New York and New Jersey, the busiest port in the East Coast. This creates a “premium” on driver pay that you won’t find in the Midwest or South.
The average truck driver salary in New Jersey is much higher than the national median, according to data aggregators such as ZipRecruiter and the recent 2025/2026 market analysis. While the national average is between $56,000 and $60,000, New Jersey drivers are likely to find an annual wage at around $74,000 per year for experienced positions. But it’s tricky to talk about average. It blends the novice hauler moving dry van locally with the veteran hauling heavy freight on the turnpike.
| Pay Period | NJ Statewide Average (Local/Regional) | Experienced OTR Dry Van (Estimate) | Estimated OTR Flatbed (Premium) |
| Annual/Per Year | $63,980 | ~$83,067 | ~$92,500 |
| Monthly | ~$5,331 | ~$6,922 | ~$7,708 |
| Weekly | ~$1,230 | ~$1,597 | ~$1,778 |
The reality of the truck driver salary in NJ is that it is a spectrum. Entry-level jobs usually start at $45,000 to $50,000 per year, mostly for small local delivery jobs with little experience. On the higher end, the six figures are a ceiling for special haulers and aggressive OTR (Over-the-Road) drivers, the top earners earning more than $100,000 a year. This is the key lesson: you must be willing to accept what it takes to survive the smoggy I-95 corridor and the unique challenges of port drayage.
How Much Do Local Truck Drivers Make in New Jersey?
Local driving is a dream for many: sleep in your own bed, see your family each day, and earn a decent wage. But “local” in New Jersey means “high stress.” It is difficult to navigate the cityscape of Jersey City, Newark, and Elizabeth – and the pay is hard to resist, too.
New Jersey drivers earn an hourly wage, rather than a cent-per-mile rate. In 2026 we see competitive hourly rates of $26 to $35 per hour. If you work 50 hours a week, as is common in local logistics, you’ll make a decent weekly gross. But local P&D (Pickup and Delivery) often involves physical labor – loading and unloading freight – therefore a higher hourly wage.
The trade-off for the local driver is often the ceiling on earnings. Unlike OTR drivers who can essentially write their own checks by keeping the wheels turning, local drivers are capped by the clock and federal Hours of Service regulations in a way that limits overtime potential. While the average truck driver salary in New Jersey for local routes is respectable – often settling in the mid-$60k range – it rarely offers the explosive earning potential of specialized long-haul work. Yet, for many, the value of being home for dinner every night is a form of "wealth" that doesn't show up on a W-2.
CDL Driver Salary in NJ Breakdown by Experience
One of the most important factors contributing to your paycheck is tenure. The truck driver salary in NJ scales aggressively with experience. The carriers in this region are ready to pay for safety and reliability. They need to know that you can haul a 53-foot trailer on the George Washington Bridge at rush hour.
If a new CDL holder has less than a year of experience, the market can be tough. New drivers carry expensive insurance premiums, so carriers charge lower rates to offset that risk. There may be offers in the $0.50 to $0.55 CPM range. But, once you’re there, the truck driver salary in New Jersey rises as you cross that magical “two years of verified experience” threshold. The experienced driver is seeing offers for over $85,000 annually with a clean MVR.
In addition, it is important to note that CDL driver salary in NJ is heavily influenced by the type of license class and endorsement you hold. The ticket to the dance is a standard Class A, but it’s the endorsements that get you into the VIP section. We will discuss that later, but understand that in New Jersey, “specialized” is “paid.”
The Real-World CPM Trade-Off: Pay vs. Home Time
Let’s talk about the math of the mile. Most OTR and Regional jobs are paid via CPM. In the current 2025-2026 market, the rate per mile has seen some stabilization after the volatility of previous years.
For a New Jersey-based OTR driver, a competitive rate in 2026 is between $0.60 and $0.70 CPM. If you are running a consistent 2,500 to 3,000 miles a week the math looks good. But New Jersey drivers face a specific hurdle: getting out of the state.
The congestion in the Northeast can kill your mileage utilization. It might take you three hours just to cross the state line depending on traffic. This is why many smart drivers in NJ look for carriers that offer "practical mileage" pay or guaranteed minimums. A high CPM means nothing if you’re stuck in traffic on the NJ Turnpike moving 5 miles an hour.
Carriers are beginning to understand this. We are seeing more "hybrid" pay models where drivers get a slightly lower mileage rate but a higher stop pay or detention pay. If you earn $0.70 per mile but spend 10 hours a week waiting at shippers in Newark, you’re losing money. Always calculate your "effective hourly rate" when evaluating a CPM offer.
What Are the True Factors That Determine Truck Driver Salary in New Jersey?
So, beyond just driving the truck, what moves the needle on the truck driver salary in NJ? It comes down to utility and risk.
1. Endorsements are Key
If you want to maximize your income, get your hazmat and tanker endorsement. New Jersey has a massive pharmaceutical and chemical industry. Hauling hazardous materials or bulk liquids requires more training and involves higher risk, but the pay premium is substantial. Hazmat drivers in NJ can easily command $0.05 to $0.10 more per mile than their dry van counterparts.
2. The Flatbed Premium
Flatbed work is physically demanding. You are tarping loads in the snow and securing heavy machinery in the summer heat. But because fewer drivers are willing to do this work, it pays better. Flatbed drivers in the Northeast often see higher rates per load because of the construction and infrastructure demands in the tri-state area.
3. Owner Operator Opportunities
For the owner operator, New Jersey is a high-risk, high-reward environment. The spot market out of the ports can be lucrative, but the operational costs are punishing. Insurance rates in NJ are among the highest in the country, and diesel taxes are significant. An owner operator running out of NJ needs to be a savvy business person. You can gross $200,000+ per year, but if you aren't managing your fuel burn and maintenance, your net profit could look like a company driver's wage – with ten times the stress.
4. The "Touch Freight" Factor
Job that requires you to touch the freight, unload trailers, stock shelves or handle ramp deliveries pays more. The food service delivery of Sysco or US Foods is a laborious operation, but drivers can earn up to $100,000 a year because they are paid to be a driver and lumper simultaneously.
Looking Ahead to 2026
New Jersey is moving forward in 2026. The “freight recession” of the past few years has been wiped out by many inefficient carriers, leaving a market that is leaner but slightly more robust for those who remain.
Inflation has raised the cost of living in the Garden State, which urges the wages up as well. Carriers know that it is not possible to provide stagnant wages in such a pricey state to retain talent. We expect the truck driver salary in NJ will continue to rise, but at the same time the job-specific demand will continue to be steady.
Besides, stricter federal regulations, such as the Clearinghouse II, have reduced the number of eligible drivers. This artificial shortage provides qualified clean-record drivers with an advantage. If you have a clean CDL and work hard, your 2026 looks bright in New Jersey. You have the right to negotiate for better benefits, sign-on bonuses, although they are becoming less common in favor of higher base pay, and better equipment.
From “how many miles can I run?” to “what is the quality of those miles?” Drivers are searching for positions with better quality vehicles and modern equipment, automated transmissions, and well-balanced benefits packages including 401k and comprehensive health insurance. In a state like NJ where healthcare costs are high, a good benefit package can be worth $10,000 a year in salary.
Conclusion
Trucking in New Jersey is not for the passive. It includes moving on complicated routes, handling tight schedules, and working with the unique stresses of the Northeast supply chain. But for those who can manage the heat, there are financial rewards. If you want to stay close to home or go out on the open road for the most money, 2026 is the right time.
If you are ready to take advantage of the strong freight market in the Garden State, look no further. HMD Trucking is actively recruiting professional CDL truck drivers in Jersey City and Newark to join our elite fleet. We are hiring Dry Van and Flatbed OTR truck drivers and currently have open positions for those who are ready to earn top-notch wages with a carrier that respects your time and skill. Don’t put up with average, join a team that drives excellence.
