How long does cdl truck driver training take in Oklahoma?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma?

Yes. Oklahoma requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Department of Public Safety. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Oklahoma earned a median annual wage of approximately $54,410. Employment concentration in Oklahoma is about 1.23 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Oklahoma currently employs approximately 27,840 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

Oklahoma heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $54,410 ($26.16/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 27,840 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.2% below the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $54,410 ($26.16/hr)
25th percentile: $45,710 per year
75th percentile: $70,950 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,330 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,420 per year
Workers employed in Oklahoma: 27,840
Versus national median: -7.2% below the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.23 - this occupation is more concentrated in Oklahoma than the national average

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

Oklahoma employs about 27,840 CDL truck drivers earning a median $54,410 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 Public Safety.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Oklahoma

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. 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 (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Salina Area Technical College	78.9	$7,128	$45,249	68%	Yes*	209 mi
2	M T Training Center	78.9	Contact school for pricing	$37,432	83%	Yes*	214 mi
3	Tulsa Technology Center	68.6	Contact school for pricing	$42,754	81%	—	60 mi
4	Central Technology Center	64.0	Contact school for pricing	$41,040	85%	—	23 mi
5	Northeast Technology Center	60.2	Contact school for pricing	$49,636	97%	—	98 mi
6	Hutchinson Community College	57.3	$3,540 in-state / $4,770 out-of-state	$49,591	53%	Yes*	164 mi
7	Dodge City Community College	55.2	$4,650 in-state / $5,850 out-of-state	$48,311	35%	Yes*	218 mi
8	Crowder College	52.4	$6,180 in-state / $8,280 out-of-state	$40,780	49%	Yes*	159 mi
9	Coffeyville Community College	50.7	$3,600 in-state / $4,680 out-of-state	$42,873	38%	Yes*	112 mi
10	North Arkansas College	47.0	$3,504 in-state / $5,592 out-of-state	$46,210	42%	Yes*	218 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.

Oklahoma employs approximately 27,840 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $54,410 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 Oklahoma, 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 Public Safety
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Oklahoma): $54,410 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Oklahoma? 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 Public Safety.

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 Public Safety.

Do I need a license in Oklahoma? Yes. Oklahoma credentials this role through Department of Public Safety ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Oklahoma? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Oklahoma is $54,410 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,420 and experienced professionals can earn $80,330 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma

CDL truck drivers in Oklahoma 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 Public Safety 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 Public Safety before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Oklahoma City	10,170	$54,720	$59,020	$37,790	$95,900
Tulsa	7,220	$58,790	$59,220	$37,530	$75,160
Fort Smith	2,030	$47,580	$51,790	$35,700	$74,000
Enid	430	$49,780	$52,820	$37,440	$73,650
Lawton	380	$47,280	$51,920	$35,480	$77,260

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 Oklahoma? Oklahoma currently employs approximately 27,840 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 Oklahoma with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Safety for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Oklahoma compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Oklahoma is $54,410, which is $3,030 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Oklahoma

Best Trade Schools in Oklahoma (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 Public Safety - Licensing Information: http://www.dps.state.ok.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)