How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Kentucky
Kentucky employs approximately 31,760 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,340 1. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.20x 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 Kentucky, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Kentucky
How to become a cdl truck driver in Kentucky? Kentucky requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Commercial Drivers License Training School Agent, Licensed Commercial Driver (CDL). The licensing authority is the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - Division of Driver Licensing 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 Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - Division of Driver Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Kentucky is $56,340 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,670 and experienced professionals can earn $85,630 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: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - Division of Driver Licensing
- Median wage (Kentucky): $56,340 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Kentucky
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - Division of Driver Licensing oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Kentucky 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 Drivers License Training School Agent | Contact the regulatory agency for specific information. |
| Licensed Commercial Driver (CDL) | Contact the regulatory agency for specific information. |
| Commercial Drivers License Training School Skills Instructor | Contact the regulatory agency for specific information. |
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 Kentucky
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 13,820 | $60,590 | $63,170 | $45,920 | $81,620 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 10,820 | $59,000 | $62,930 | $44,970 | $87,580 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 4,460 | $56,950 | $63,290 | $43,780 | $94,090 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 2,330 | $50,050 | $53,570 | $35,560 | $74,110 |
| Bowling Green | 1,540 | $53,450 | $56,130 | $37,690 | $75,970 |
| Clarksville | 1,380 | $51,470 | $56,810 | $38,670 | $77,640 |
| Owensboro | 840 | $50,600 | $53,970 | $37,490 | $76,630 |
| Paducah | 660 | $50,520 | $55,050 | $38,990 | $74,490 |
| Elizabethtown | 560 | $50,680 | $52,990 | $37,210 | $73,270 |
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 .
Top Metros for Cdl truck drivers in Kentucky
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within Kentucky according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 10,820 | $59,000 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 4,460 | $56,950 |
| Bowling Green | 1,540 | $53,450 |
| Owensboro | 840 | $50,600 |
| Paducah | 660 | $50,520 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Lexington, Bowling Green, and Owensboro.
Explore More Trades in Kentucky
- Electrician in Kentucky
- Plumber in Kentucky
- HVAC Technician in Kentucky
- Welder in Kentucky
- Carpenter in Kentucky
- Solar Installation Technician in Kentucky
- Auto Mechanic in Kentucky
- CNC Machinist in Kentucky
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Kentucky
- Medical Assistant in Kentucky
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 31,760 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 Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - Division of Driver Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kentucky.
How much do cdl truck drivers earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Kentucky is $56,340, which is $1,100 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - Division of Driver Licensing - Licensing Information: http://transportation.ky.gov/Driver-Licensing/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
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) |