How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 62,400 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,530 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 North Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina
How do I become a cdl truck driver in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Commercial Driver Training Instructor (Instructor License), Commercial Drivers License Endorsements. The licensing authority is the North Carolina Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles 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 North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The North Carolina Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in North Carolina is $51,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,400 and experienced professionals can earn $76,360 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: North Carolina Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles
- Median wage (North Carolina): $51,530 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles oversees cdl truck driver licensing in North Carolina 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. |
| Commercial Driver Training Instructor (Instructor License) | The instructor licenses are issued to commercial school instructors that teach driver’s education for a commercial school. |
| Commercial Drivers License Endorsements | Specialized knowledge and skills required to operate certain motor vehicles |
| Truck Driver Training School | Every school and branch must display in a prominent place in its office licenses issued to it by the Division for the school and its instructors Display of Licenses. |
| Truck Driver Training School Instructor | No person shall act as an instructor without the proper license provided, up to 24 hours of classroom instruction in a minimum 320-hour course and up to 12 hours of classroom instruction in a minimum… |
| Commercial Driver License Permits | Permit is required to operate a commercial motor vehicle and person must be accompanied (when driving) by a licensed driver who is licensed for the same class of CDL driven. |
| Commercial Driver License with P and S (School Bus Driver License) | NC CDL Driver License with P and S to operate a school bus and certified by NCDMV/SBTS Unit |
| Commercial Driver License (Class A, B or C) | Commercial Drivers Drive Trucks/Commercial Vehicles To Transport And Deliver Goods, Livestock, Or Materials In Liquid, Loose, Or Packaged Form. |
| Truck Decals | A decal issued used in connection with the purchase of grain from producers, as it relates to the Grain Law. |
| Truck Driver School Recruiter | A Recruiter abides by the Administrative Codes for Truck Driving Schools and Instructors. A recruiter must have a separate license for each school that he represents. |
| Motor Carrier License (IFTA/Intrastate) | A license is issued to any business operating as an interstate or intrastate motor carrier based in North Carolina and operating one or more qualified motor vehicle(s). |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 18,700 | $56,120 | $58,020 | $44,240 | $77,490 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 7,460 | $50,460 | $53,660 | $38,180 | $71,930 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 7,210 | $52,110 | $55,110 | $40,030 | $73,810 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 6,480 | $58,480 | $59,960 | $40,350 | $80,560 |
| Winston-Salem | 3,480 | $51,320 | $55,290 | $38,300 | $75,850 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 3,050 | $57,460 | $59,600 | $40,640 | $78,410 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 2,130 | $53,280 | $56,200 | $41,810 | $78,990 |
| Asheville | 2,040 | $51,750 | $55,180 | $40,770 | $72,250 |
| Wilmington | 1,840 | $48,850 | $51,690 | $37,210 | $71,480 |
| Fayetteville | 1,400 | $49,980 | $52,040 | $39,380 | $65,380 |
| Burlington | 1,020 | $56,290 | $61,270 | $39,870 | $94,000 |
| Rocky Mount | 840 | $48,090 | $56,250 | $38,660 | $84,510 |
| Greenville | 500 | $48,980 | $52,300 | $36,540 | $72,250 |
| Goldsboro | 400 | $47,140 | $49,850 | $37,350 | $72,210 |
| Jacksonville | 360 | $45,640 | $45,710 | $35,150 | $58,760 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 220 | $48,860 | $54,390 | $38,600 | $74,640 |
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 North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 18,700 | $56,120 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 7,210 | $52,110 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 6,480 | $58,480 |
| Winston-Salem | 3,480 | $51,320 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 3,050 | $57,460 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 62,400 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 North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the North Carolina Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do cdl truck drivers earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in North Carolina is $51,530, which is $5,910 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
North Carolina Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |