How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Arizona
Arizona employs approximately 40,150 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,080 1. 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 Arizona, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in Arizona
How do I become a cdl truck driver in Arizona? Arizona requires credentials such as Commercial Driver (CDL). The licensing authority is the Department of Transportation - Commercial Programs 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The Department of Transportation - Commercial Programs oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Arizona is $58,080 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,580 and experienced professionals can earn $76,550 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Transportation - Commercial Programs
- Median wage (Arizona): $58,080 per year 1
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Arizona
The Department of Transportation - Commercial Programs oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Arizona 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Commercial Driver (CDL) | Reference: ARS 28-3221 |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Arizona vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 30,480 | $59,770 | $59,790 | $43,500 | $76,550 |
| Tucson | 3,820 | $56,640 | $55,720 | $39,300 | $72,960 |
| Yuma | 1,040 | $48,630 | $52,740 | $36,960 | $75,540 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 1,020 | $58,210 | $60,210 | $43,900 | $84,990 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 900 | $48,060 | $54,150 | $38,210 | $78,760 |
| Flagstaff | 480 | $55,750 | $58,610 | $42,560 | $79,880 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | 290 | $46,250 | $51,780 | $35,430 | $79,050 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Cdl truck drivers in Arizona
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within Arizona according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 30,480 | $59,770 |
| Tucson | 3,820 | $56,640 |
| Yuma | 1,040 | $48,630 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 1,020 | $58,210 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 900 | $48,060 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 40,150 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 Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Transportation - Commercial Programs for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arizona.
How much do cdl truck drivers earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Arizona is $58,080, which is $640 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Transportation - Commercial Programs - Licensing Information: https://www.azdot.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |