How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Illinois
Illinois employs approximately 84,200 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,320 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 Illinois, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in Illinois
How do I become a cdl truck driver in Illinois? Illinois requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL), COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL OWNER, COMMERCIAL DRIVER (TRUCK AND BUS OPERATOR). The licensing authority is the Driver Services Department 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 Illinois? Yes. Illinois has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The Driver Services Department oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Illinois is $60,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,710 and experienced professionals can earn $86,300 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: Driver Services Department
- Median wage (Illinois): $60,320 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Illinois
The Driver Services Department oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Illinois 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 TRAINING SCHOOL OWNER | Any person who engages in the business of giving driver training instruction for hire or for a fee, or prepares an applicant for an examination given by the Secretary of State for a driver’s license o… |
| COMMERCIAL DRIVER (TRUCK AND BUS OPERATOR) | An individual who operates a vehicle that is over 26,000 lbs. (single unit or combination unit) and is designed to transport property or sixteen or more passengers. |
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 Illinois
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 62,210 | $62,300 | $65,170 | $41,300 | $88,230 |
| St. Louis | 18,270 | $58,240 | $59,810 | $40,540 | $79,300 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 3,070 | $58,280 | $58,920 | $40,620 | $74,500 |
| Peoria | 1,760 | $49,610 | $55,020 | $39,610 | $77,520 |
| Rockford | 1,690 | $59,900 | $62,440 | $38,660 | $88,590 |
| Bloomington | 1,070 | $54,610 | $57,410 | $35,290 | $79,450 |
| Decatur | 990 | $59,100 | $62,550 | $34,910 | $97,090 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 840 | $56,270 | $57,590 | $38,130 | $80,560 |
| Kankakee | 760 | $46,750 | $50,830 | $33,770 | $76,780 |
| Springfield | 750 | $50,350 | $55,790 | $40,150 | $79,810 |
| Cape Girardeau | 730 | $50,200 | $55,150 | $36,900 | $77,050 |
| Paducah | 660 | $50,520 | $55,050 | $38,990 | $74,490 |
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 Illinois
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 62,210 | $62,300 |
| Peoria | 1,760 | $49,610 |
| Rockford | 1,690 | $59,900 |
| Bloomington | 1,070 | $54,610 |
| Decatur | 990 | $59,100 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 84,200 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 Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Driver Services Department for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois.
How much do cdl truck drivers earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Illinois is $60,320, which is $2,880 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Driver Services Department - Licensing Information: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |