How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 60,800 CDL truck drivers earning a median $57,180 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 Michigan Secretary of State.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Michigan): $57,180/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Michigan: 60,800 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.04x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 4.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
- Licensing/credentialing body: Michigan Secretary of State (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)
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Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Michigan
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Valley Technical College | 67.6 | $5,040 - $16,862 | $55,857 | 63% | Yes* | 204 mi |
| 2 | Moraine Park Technical College | 66.9 | $4,819 - $14,583 | $53,771 | 54% | Yes* | 193 mi |
| 3 | Vantage Career Center | 65.4 | Contact school for pricing | $44,179 | 87% | — | 162 mi |
| 4 | University of Northwestern Ohio | 63.8 | $13,875 - $26,266 | $56,340 | 54% | Yes* | 172 mi |
| 5 | Waukesha County Technical College | 62.3 | Contact school for pricing | $57,764 | 45% | Yes* | 183 mi |
| 6 | Gateway Technical College | 56.0 | $4,956 - $16,242 | $54,142 | 49% | Yes* | 168 mi |
| 7 | Henry Ford College | 53.9 | Contact school for pricing | $54,466 | 14% | Yes* | 95 mi |
| 8 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | 52.5 | $5,184 - $17,359 | $52,346 | 25% | Yes* | 166 mi |
| 9 | Apollo Career Center | 51.2 | Contact school for pricing | $46,663 | 67% | — | 175 mi |
| 10 | City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College | 45.7 | Contact school for pricing | $45,174 | 21% | Yes* | 184 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.
Michigan employs approximately 60,800 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,180 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 Michigan, 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: Michigan Secretary of State
- Exam: state CDL skills test
- Median wage (Michigan): $57,180 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Michigan
How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Michigan? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Michigan Secretary of State.
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 Michigan Secretary of State.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan credentials this role through Michigan Secretary of State 3. See the licensing section below.
What do CDL truck drivers earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Michigan is $57,180 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,280 and experienced professionals can earn $73,980 or more 1.
How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Michigan
- 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 Michigan
CDL truck drivers in Michigan 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 Michigan Secretary of State 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 Michigan Secretary of State before you enroll.
CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 25,780 | $59,120 | $58,070 | $41,960 | $76,660 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 10,820 | $58,270 | $56,990 | $42,840 | $73,740 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 2,820 | $56,710 | $55,640 | $43,100 | $74,880 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 1,840 | $56,820 | $56,910 | $39,720 | $74,410 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 1,580 | $55,880 | $55,060 | $43,600 | $72,930 |
| Flint | 1,320 | $50,200 | $51,930 | $37,210 | $68,390 |
| Ann Arbor | 1,270 | $59,230 | $58,260 | $39,370 | $72,860 |
| Saginaw | 1,170 | $50,200 | $53,270 | $39,110 | $71,020 |
| Monroe | 1,090 | $54,510 | $54,210 | $40,480 | $69,080 |
| Traverse City | 740 | $57,700 | $55,070 | $45,640 | $63,720 |
| Battle Creek | 720 | $56,160 | $55,320 | $37,610 | $71,870 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 720 | $50,500 | $51,730 | $37,920 | $64,590 |
| Niles | 640 | $48,780 | $51,680 | $39,690 | $66,390 |
| Jackson | 630 | $56,080 | $54,200 | $38,670 | $64,620 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 620 | $58,240 | $57,540 | $35,960 | $73,370 |
| Bay City | 510 | $57,320 | $57,550 | $43,570 | $69,880 |
| Midland | 280 | $49,380 | $52,580 | $37,930 | $66,400 |
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 Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 60,800 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 Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Secretary of State for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan.
How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Michigan is $57,180, which is $260 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Secretary of State - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |