How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Mississippi
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 requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in Mississippi
How do I become a cdl truck driver in Mississippi? Mississippi requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL). The licensing authority is the MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau 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 Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau
- Median wage (Mississippi): $51,820 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Mississippi
The MS Department of Public Safety - Driver Service Bureau oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Mississippi 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. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Affidavit or referral required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
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 (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Cdl truck drivers in Mississippi
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within Mississippi according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 6,590 | $58,100 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 1,750 | $45,990 |
| Hattiesburg | 830 | $48,200 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg.
Explore More Trades in Mississippi
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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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |