How long does cdl truck driver training take in Nebraska?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Nebraska 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 Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Nebraska earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,390. Employment concentration in Nebraska is about 1.70 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Nebraska currently employs approximately 23,160 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

Nebraska heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $58,390 ($28.07/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 23,160 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -0.4% below the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,390 ($28.07/hr)
25th percentile: $47,020 per year
75th percentile: $75,830 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $81,790 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $40,150 per year
Workers employed in Nebraska: 23,160
Versus national median: -0.4% below the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.70 - this occupation is more concentrated in Nebraska than the national average

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

Nebraska employs about 23,160 CDL truck drivers earning a median $58,390 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 Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services.

Key Facts

Median wage (Nebraska): $58,390/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Nebraska: 23,160 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.70x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 4.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Nebraska

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	Salina Area Technical College	78.9	Contact school for pricing	$45,249	70%	Yes*	158 mi
2	Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College	66.7	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	Not reported	Yes*	275 mi
3	John Wood Community College	61.9	$5,700 - $15,845	$43,414	48%	Yes*	306 mi
4	Riverland Community College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$49,768	53%	Yes*	273 mi
5	Central Community College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$48,675	46%	Yes*	74 mi
6	Cloud County Community College	59.0	Contact school for pricing	$45,359	51%	Yes*	108 mi
7	Western Iowa Tech Community College	57.6	Contact school for pricing	$47,713	44%	Yes*	105 mi
8	Hutchinson Community College	57.3	Contact school for pricing	$49,591	49%	Yes*	211 mi
9	Southeast Community College Area	55.6	Contact school for pricing	$54,277	36%	Yes*	24 mi
10	Dodge City Community College	55.2	Contact school for pricing	$48,311	33%	Yes*	278 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.

Nebraska employs approximately 23,160 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,390 ¹. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.70x 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 Nebraska, 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: Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Nebraska): $58,390 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Nebraska? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services.

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 Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services.

Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska credentials this role through Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Nebraska? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Nebraska is $58,390 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,150 and experienced professionals can earn $81,790 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Nebraska

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 Nebraska

CDL truck drivers in Nebraska 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 Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services 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 Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	10,210	$58,010	$58,710	$40,150	$80,650
Lincoln	4,530	$81,790	$73,050	$47,950	$81,790
Sioux City	2,820	$51,540	$55,120	$38,450	$79,320
Grand Island	970	$60,810	$63,840	$43,150	$94,810

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 Nebraska? Nebraska currently employs approximately 23,160 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 Nebraska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Nebraska is $58,390, which is $950 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Nebraska

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles - Driver Licensing Services - Licensing Information: http://www.nebraska.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)