How long does cdl truck driver training take in Alabama?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Alabama through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Alabama?

Yes. Alabama requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Alabama (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Alabama?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Alabama earned a median annual wage of approximately $52,120. Employment concentration in Alabama is about 1.31 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Alabama?

Alabama currently employs approximately 36,650 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alabama heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $52,120 ($25.06/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 36,650 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -11.1% below the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $52,120 ($25.06/hr)
25th percentile: $44,640 per year
75th percentile: $64,870 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $77,620 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,240 per year
Workers employed in Alabama: 36,650
Versus national median: -11.1% below the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.31 - this occupation is more concentrated in Alabama than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alabama employs about 36,650 CDL truck drivers earning a median $52,120 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Alabama

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Northwest Florida State College	67.0	Contact school for pricing	$52,556	41%	Yes*	158 mi
2	Pensacola State College	61.5	Contact school for pricing	$45,937	Not reported	Yes*	163 mi
3	Southern Crescent Technical College	54.3	Contact school for pricing	$47,009	55%	Yes*	148 mi
4	South Georgia Technical College	54.3	Contact school for pricing	$40,852	Not reported	Yes*	158 mi
5	Georgia Northwestern Technical College	53.6	Contact school for pricing	$44,490	38%	Yes*	135 mi
6	Chattahoochee Technical College	52.1	Contact school for pricing	$45,209	Not reported	Yes*	151 mi
7	West Georgia Technical College	51.0	Contact school for pricing	$43,835	33%	Yes*	111 mi
8	Bevill State Community College	50.6	Contact school for pricing	$51,972	41%	Yes*	75 mi
9	Meridian Community College	50.6	Contact school for pricing	$50,810	Not reported	Yes*	117 mi
10	Atlanta Technical College	47.9	Contact school for pricing	$40,964	46%	Yes*	151 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Alabama employs approximately 36,650 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,120 ¹. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.31x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
Licensing authority: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Alabama): $52,120 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Alabama

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Alabama? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division.

Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama credentials this role through Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Alabama is $52,120 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,240 and experienced professionals can earn $77,620 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Alabama

Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Alabama

CDL truck drivers in Alabama complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division ³.

Typical path

Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.
Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test.
Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Alabama vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Birmingham	9,170	$54,460	$56,600	$38,370	$77,460
Mobile	3,510	$51,010	$55,630	$37,960	$75,980
Huntsville	2,570	$56,690	$58,190	$38,240	$78,160
Montgomery	2,540	$54,860	$57,100	$37,340	$81,280
Dothan	1,640	$61,900	$59,910	$38,550	$74,820
Tuscaloosa	1,440	$50,190	$54,280	$38,220	$75,350
Decatur	1,420	$59,390	$60,530	$41,920	$80,170
Columbus	1,180	$47,570	$51,790	$36,550	$72,320
Auburn-Opelika	1,090	$49,210	$54,540	$38,830	$78,020
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley	990	$47,560	$51,770	$36,810	$74,350
Florence-Muscle Shoals	830	$48,140	$50,780	$35,680	$71,550
Anniston-Oxford	680	$50,550	$54,870	$38,430	$71,200
Gadsden	540	$54,410	$55,100	$37,350	$73,290

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 36,650 CDL truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alabama.

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Alabama is $52,120, which is $5,320 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alabama

Best Trade Schools in Alabama (2026)

Top local programs

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Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency - Driver License Division - Licensing Information: http://www.alea.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)