How long does cdl truck driver training take in Mississippi?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Mississippi 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 Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Mississippi earned a median annual wage of approximately $51,820. Employment concentration in Mississippi is about 1.57 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Mississippi currently employs approximately 24,160 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

Mississippi heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $51,820 ($24.92/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 24,160 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -11.6% below the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $51,820 ($24.92/hr)
25th percentile: $43,520 per year
75th percentile: $63,630 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $79,550 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,710 per year
Workers employed in Mississippi: 24,160
Versus national median: -11.6% below the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.57 - this occupation is more concentrated in Mississippi than the national average

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

Mississippi employs about 24,160 CDL truck drivers earning a median $51,820 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 MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Mississippi

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. 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 (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Southwest Mississippi Community College	64.8	$4,080 in-state / $6,780 out-of-state	$27,408	56%	Yes*	118 mi
2	Copiah-Lincoln Community College	63.6	$4,000 in-state / $5,000 out-of-state	$36,902	50%	Yes*	92 mi
3	Hinds Community College	53.6	$4,250 in-state / $7,300 out-of-state	$40,042	43%	Yes*	65 mi
4	Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas	52.0	$3,380 in-state / $4,550 out-of-state	$39,117	55%	Yes*	137 mi
5	Bevill State Community College	50.6	$4,734 in-state / $8,346 out-of-state	$51,972	38%	Yes*	148 mi
6	Meridian Community College	50.6	$4,078 in-state / $6,478 out-of-state	$50,810	34%	Yes*	52 mi
7	University of Arkansas at Monticello	49.8	$9,292 in-state / $14,857 out-of-state	$48,735	49%	Yes*	146 mi
8	Northwest Mississippi Community College	47.6	$3,740	$42,368	45%	Yes*	131 mi
9	Jones County Junior College	45.6	$4,806 in-state / $6,806 out-of-state	$36,340	41%	Yes*	83 mi
10	Delta Technical College-Mississippi	44.4	Contact school for pricing	$36,025	71%	—	154 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.

Mississippi employs approximately 24,160 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,820 ¹. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.57x 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 Mississippi, 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: MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Mississippi): $51,820 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Mississippi? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau.

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 MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau.

Do I need a license in Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi credentials this role through MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Mississippi? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Mississippi is $51,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,710 and experienced professionals can earn $79,550 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Mississippi

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 Mississippi

CDL truck drivers in Mississippi 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 MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau 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 MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	19,460	$63,070	$66,500	$44,200	$96,150
Jackson	6,590	$58,100	$60,020	$37,000	$89,990
Gulfport-Biloxi	1,750	$45,990	$49,020	$35,500	$63,850
Hattiesburg	830	$48,200	$50,820	$35,510	$63,600

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 Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 24,160 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 Mississippi with an out-of-state license? Contact the MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Mississippi is $51,820, which is $5,620 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Mississippi

Best Trade Schools in Mississippi (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Mississippi

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau - Licensing Information: https://www.msegov.com/dps/license_renewal/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)