How long does cdl truck driver training take in Missouri?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Missouri through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Missouri earned a median annual wage of approximately $54,550. Employment concentration in Missouri is about 1.23 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Missouri currently employs approximately 47,760 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

Missouri heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $54,550 ($26.23/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 47,760 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.0% below the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $54,550 ($26.23/hr)
25th percentile: $46,140 per year
75th percentile: $63,400 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $77,510 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,860 per year
Workers employed in Missouri: 47,760
Versus national median: -7.0% below the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.23 - this occupation is more concentrated in Missouri than the national average

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

Missouri employs about 47,760 CDL truck drivers earning a median $54,550 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 Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Missouri

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. 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	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	John Wood Community College	61.9	$5,700 - $15,845	$43,414	48%	Yes*	131 mi
2	Lincoln Land Community College	57.3	Contact school for pricing	$52,163	45%	Yes*	192 mi
3	Black River Technical College	55.3	Contact school for pricing	$48,715	43%	Yes*	176 mi
4	Johnson County Community College	55.0	Contact school for pricing	$52,956	30%	Yes*	115 mi
5	Kaskaskia College	54.8	$4,800 - $12,570	$48,104	49%	Yes*	192 mi
6	University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville	54.5	Contact school for pricing	$45,597	60%	Yes*	187 mi
7	Crowder College	52.4	Contact school for pricing	$40,780	46%	Yes*	139 mi
8	Coffeyville Community College	50.7	Contact school for pricing	$42,873	40%	Yes*	183 mi
9	Arkansas State University-Mountain Home	50.2	$3,312 - $16,071	$39,326	47%	Yes*	142 mi
10	Lewis and Clark Community College	49.1	$4,340 - $9,592	$47,508	46%	—	143 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.

Missouri employs approximately 47,760 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $54,550 ¹. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.23x 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 Missouri, 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: Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Missouri): $54,550 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Missouri? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License 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 Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau.

Do I need a license in Missouri? Yes. Missouri credentials this role through Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Missouri is $54,550 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,860 and experienced professionals can earn $77,510 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Missouri

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 Missouri

CDL truck drivers in Missouri 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 Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License 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 Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
St. Louis	18,270	$58,240	$59,810	$40,540	$79,300
Kansas City	18,230	$60,170	$61,850	$44,070	$80,900
Springfield	6,790	$56,070	$57,920	$38,110	$80,830
Joplin	3,470	$47,430	$53,590	$39,350	$72,000
Jefferson City	980	$48,860	$53,920	$39,400	$76,630
Columbia	850	$52,820	$56,210	$37,670	$74,590
St. Joseph	850	$56,330	$57,090	$38,490	$76,870
Cape Girardeau	730	$50,200	$55,150	$36,900	$77,050

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 Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 47,760 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Missouri is $54,550, which is $2,890 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Missouri

Best Trade Schools in Missouri (2026)

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department Of Revenue - Drivers License Bureau - Drivers License Bureau - Licensing Information: http://www.dor.mo.gov ↩︎ ↩︎

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)