How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Arkansas
Arkansas employs approximately 32,220 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,550 1. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.86x 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 Arkansas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in Arkansas
How do I become a cdl truck driver in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Commercial Driver (Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cylinder Delivery Truck Driver - CD. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Office of Motor Vehicles 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 Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Office of Motor Vehicles oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Arkansas is $51,550 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,770 and experienced professionals can earn $81,110 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: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Office of Motor Vehicles
- Median wage (Arkansas): $51,550 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Office of Motor Vehicles oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Commercial Drivers License (CDL) | Commercial Drivers Licenses are issued by state departments but are similar from state to state, since the minimum requirements of the licenses and endorsements are set centrally. |
| Commercial Driver (Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver) | Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) will be required for anyone driving a vehicle that (1) weighs more than 26,001 pounds, (2) carries 16 or more passengers, or (3) transports any amount of hazardous m… |
| Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cylinder Delivery Truck Driver - CD | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cylinder Delivery Truck Drivers are responsible for delivering DOT and ASME cylinders to retail locations. |
| Liquefied Petroleum Gas Transport Truck Driver - TD | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Transport Truck Drivers are responsible for making bulk deliveries of propane to and for Class 1 Permit Holders delivering to bulk plants, commercial and agricultural customers… |
| Liquified Petroleum Gas Bobtail Truck Driver - BD | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Bobtail Truck Drivers are responsible for making retail deliveries of propane to residential, commercial, agricultural, and reseller customers. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 19,460 | $63,070 | $66,500 | $44,200 | $96,150 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 7,910 | $57,050 | $58,030 | $37,800 | $81,830 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 7,500 | $60,480 | $63,160 | $40,520 | $103,280 |
| Fort Smith | 2,030 | $47,580 | $51,790 | $35,700 | $74,000 |
| Jonesboro | 1,220 | $47,670 | $50,460 | $34,400 | $72,590 |
| Texarkana | 1,190 | $49,050 | $52,850 | $34,560 | $76,330 |
| Hot Springs | 320 | $44,590 | $45,870 | $35,160 | $60,490 |
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 Arkansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 7,910 | $57,050 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 7,500 | $60,480 |
| Fort Smith | 2,030 | $47,580 |
| Jonesboro | 1,220 | $47,670 |
| Hot Springs | 320 | $44,590 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith.
Explore More Trades in Arkansas
- Electrician in Arkansas
- Plumber in Arkansas
- HVAC Technician in Arkansas
- Welder in Arkansas
- Carpenter in Arkansas
- Solar Installation Technician in Arkansas
- Auto Mechanic in Arkansas
- CNC Machinist in Arkansas
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Arkansas
- Medical Assistant in Arkansas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 32,220 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 Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Office of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas.
How much do cdl truck drivers earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Arkansas is $51,550, which is $5,890 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Office of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: https://www.dfa.arkansas.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) |