How long does cdl truck driver training take in Connecticut?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Connecticut 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 Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Connecticut earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,490. Employment concentration in Connecticut is roughly 0.70 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Connecticut currently employs approximately 15,740 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

Connecticut heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $60,490 ($29.08/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 15,740 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 3.2% above the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $60,490 ($29.08/hr)
25th percentile: $51,590 per year
75th percentile: $69,970 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $77,360 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $47,160 per year
Workers employed in Connecticut: 15,740
Versus national median: 3.2% above the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.70 - this occupation is less concentrated in Connecticut than the national average

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

Connecticut employs about 15,740 CDL truck drivers earning a median $60,490 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 Department of Motor Vehicles.

Key Facts

Median wage (Connecticut): $60,490/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Connecticut: 15,740 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.70x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 4.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: Department of Motor Vehicles (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Connecticut

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	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts	62.3	Contact school for pricing	$61,966	74%	—	115 mi
2	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island	61.9	Contact school for pricing	$61,966	77%	—	74 mi
3	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport	61.4	Contact school for pricing	$52,806	75%	—	37 mi
4	Schuylkill Technology Center	60.6	Contact school for pricing	$53,477	60%	—	188 mi
5	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Connecticut	58.3	Contact school for pricing	$52,806	70%	—	30 mi
6	Dawn Career Institute LLC	52.4	Contact school for pricing	$32,884	Not reported	—	205 mi
7	All-State Career School	41.9	Contact school for pricing	$48,534	49%	—	178 mi
8	White Mountains Community College	41.1	Contact school for pricing	$60,674	Not reported	—	216 mi
9	Fortis Institute-Forty Fort	36.5	Contact school for pricing	$39,004	65%	—	162 mi
10	Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute	34.4	Contact school for pricing	$34,393	Not reported	—	188 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.

Connecticut employs approximately 15,740 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,490 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 Connecticut, 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: Department of Motor Vehicles
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Connecticut): $60,490 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Connecticut? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Department of Motor Vehicles.

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 Department of Motor Vehicles.

Do I need a license in Connecticut? Yes. Connecticut credentials this role through Department of Motor Vehicles ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Connecticut? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Connecticut is $60,490 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,160 and experienced professionals can earn $77,360 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Connecticut

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 Connecticut

CDL truck drivers in Connecticut 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 Department of Motor Vehicles 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 Department of Motor Vehicles before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford	5,830	$59,890	$61,270	$47,000	$77,110
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	3,000	$61,580	$63,440	$47,750	$79,020
New Haven	2,900	$61,040	$63,040	$47,060	$78,890
Waterbury-Shelton	1,700	$59,750	$60,560	$47,010	$76,330
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	1,010	$60,320	$60,900	$46,290	$76,600

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 Connecticut? Connecticut currently employs approximately 15,740 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 Connecticut with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Connecticut compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Connecticut is $60,490, which is $3,050 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Connecticut

Best Trade Schools in Connecticut (2026)

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/site/default.asp ↩︎ ↩︎

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)