How long does cdl truck driver training take in Hawaii?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Hawaii 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 Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Honolulu City and County. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Hawaii earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,820. Employment concentration in Hawaii is roughly 0.49 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 Hawaii?

Hawaii currently employs approximately 4,070 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

Hawaii heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $59,820 ($28.76/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,070 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.0% above the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $59,820 ($28.76/hr)
25th percentile: $52,520 per year
75th percentile: $64,910 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $74,530 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $47,480 per year
Workers employed in Hawaii: 4,070
Versus national median: 2.0% above the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.49 - this occupation is less concentrated in Hawaii than the national average

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

Hawaii employs about 4,070 CDL truck drivers earning a median $59,820 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 Honolulu City and County.

Hawaii employs approximately 4,070 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,820 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 Hawaii, 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: Honolulu City and County
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Hawaii): $59,820 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Hawaii? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Honolulu City and County.

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 Honolulu City and County.

Do I need a license in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii credentials this role through Honolulu City and County ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Hawaii is $59,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,480 and experienced professionals can earn $74,530 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Hawaii

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 Hawaii

CDL truck drivers in Hawaii 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 Honolulu City and County 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 Honolulu City and County before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu	2,890	$59,330	$59,850	$47,250	$73,840
Kahului-Wailuku	530	$63,420	$65,240	$50,900	$77,410

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 Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 4,070 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 Hawaii with an out-of-state license? Contact the Honolulu City and County for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Hawaii is $59,820, which is $2,380 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Hawaii

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Honolulu City and County - Licensing Information: http://www.honolulu.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)