How long does cdl truck driver training take in Nevada?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Nevada 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 Nevada (2026)

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Nevada earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,290. Employment concentration in Nevada is roughly 0.73 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Yes. Nevada requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver's License Center. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Nevada currently employs approximately 15,010 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

Nevada heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $62,290 ($29.95/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 15,010 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 6.2% above the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $62,290 ($29.95/hr)
25th percentile: $52,420 per year
75th percentile: $75,890 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $83,090 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $45,860 per year
Workers employed in Nevada: 15,010
Versus national median: 6.2% above the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.73 - this occupation is less concentrated in Nevada than the national average

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

Nevada employs about 15,010 CDL truck drivers earning a median $62,290 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 Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Nevada

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	Southwest Technical College	73.4	Contact school for pricing	$40,193	94%	—	220 mi
2	CET-El Centro	67.9	Contact school for pricing	$40,676	91%	—	367 mi
3	CET-Soledad	62.4	Contact school for pricing	$40,676	82%	—	256 mi
4	Mountainland Technical College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$39,284	81%	—	326 mi
5	Dixie Technical College	58.7	Contact school for pricing	$46,064	80%	—	200 mi
6	Yavapai College	57.1	$2,948 - $14,988	$57,288	33%	Yes*	349 mi
7	Tooele Technical College	55.2	Contact school for pricing	$51,524	75%	—	312 mi
8	Advanced Career Institute	Not rated	Contact school for pricing	$48,952	78%	—	166 mi
9	Salt Lake Community College	51.6	Contact school for pricing	$55,279	29%	Yes*	332 mi
10	Coalinga College	49.2	Contact school for pricing	$46,286	43%	Yes*	220 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.

Nevada employs approximately 15,010 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,290 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 Nevada, 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 Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Nevada): $62,290 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Nevada? 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 Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center.

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 Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center.

Do I need a license in Nevada? Yes. Nevada credentials this role through Department of Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Nevada? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Nevada is $62,290 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,860 and experienced professionals can earn $83,090 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Nevada

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 Nevada

CDL truck drivers in Nevada 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 Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center 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 Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Nevada

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas	8,670	$60,650	$62,400	$43,560	$79,900
Reno	4,170	$63,790	$67,350	$47,100	$94,860
Carson City	130	$60,480	$63,850	$47,510	$87,550

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 Nevada? Nevada currently employs approximately 15,010 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 Nevada with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Nevada compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Nevada is $62,290, which is $4,850 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Nevada

Best Trade Schools in Nevada (2026)

Top local programs

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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 Motor Vehicles - Commercial Driver’s License Center - Licensing Information: http://dmvnv.com ↩︎ ↩︎

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)