Best CDL and Trucking Schools Near You (2026)
CDL and Trucking training is offered by trade schools, community colleges and career institutes nationwide, and heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earned a median of $58,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Use the program finder above to request information from schools that match your goals, or browse CDL and trucking schools by state and metro area below.
Key Facts
- National median wage: $58,640/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Pay range (10th-90th pct): $40,140 - $79,380 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Projected growth (2024-2034): +4.0%, ~237,600 openings/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034)
- U.S. employment: 2,062,040 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
How to Choose a CDL and Trucking School
Start with accreditation: confirm the school holds recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation, because it affects credit transfer, eligibility for some certification exams and how employers view the credential. Then compare the credential awarded, total program length and schedule, and how much of the program is hands-on.
CDL training programs are short courses, often a few weeks long, that prepare you for the commercial driver’s license knowledge and skills tests.
Choose a program with plenty of behind-the-wheel time on the truck class you plan to drive, range practice for backing and maneuvering, and clear coverage of entry-level driver training requirements. Graduates usually work for over-the-road carriers, regional fleets and local delivery companies.
Before you enroll, ask each school what the schedule looks like week to week, how much time is spent in the lab, shop or clinic, which credential exams the curriculum covers, and how the school supports graduates in their job search. Outcomes vary by program and region, so ask for the school’s own completion figures and how they were measured.
CDL and Trucking Schools by State
Each state link goes to the most specific CDL and trucking page we publish for that state: a statewide CDL and trucking program guide where one exists, otherwise the state’s CDL and trucking career page or trade school directory.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top Metro Areas for CDL and Trucking Training
Large metros usually offer the widest choice of CDL and trucking schools and the most employers hiring graduates. These city guides list programs within driving distance and local wage data.
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in New York City, New York (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in New York, New York (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Los Angeles, California (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Chicago, Illinois (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Houston, Texas (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Phoenix, Arizona (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in San Antonio, Texas (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in San Diego, California (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Dallas, Texas (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in San Jose, California (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Jacksonville, Florida (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Fort Worth, Texas (2026)
- Best CDL & Trucking Schools in Columbus, Ohio (2026)
Related Careers and Guides
Disclaimer: Outcomes vary by location, experience, and local job market conditions. Employment or placement is not guaranteed. Program availability, admissions criteria, timelines, costs, and licensure requirements vary by school and state and may change without notice. Always verify details directly with the school and your state licensing board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does CDL and trucking training take?
It depends on the credential. CDL training programs are short courses, often a few weeks long, that prepare you for the commercial driver's license knowledge and skills tests. Program length and schedule vary by school, so confirm the details with each program before you enroll.
How much do heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earn?
According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the U.S. earned a median annual wage of about $58,640. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $40,140 to $79,380 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Pay varies with location, experience, certification and employer.
Do I need a license or certification?
Requirements vary by state, role and employer. Some fields require a state license earned by completing approved training and passing an exam; others rely on voluntary industry certifications. Always confirm current rules with the licensing board or credentialing body in the state where you plan to work.
What is the job outlook for heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
The BLS projects employment of heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to change about +4.0% nationally from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 237,600 openings expected each year on average (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Local demand can differ from the national figure.
Can I take CDL and trucking classes online?
Some coursework may be offered online, but most programs include hands-on lab, shop or clinical components that are completed in person. Ask each school how its program is delivered and what the in-person requirements are.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |