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

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Pennsylvania employs about 87,550 CDL truck drivers earning a median $58,580 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 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle Services.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Pennsylvania

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
177.6Contact school for pricing$48,90290%—33 mi
275.3Contact school for pricing$47,03792%—54 mi
374.9Contact school for pricing$53,906Not reported—83 mi
463.4Contact school for pricing$47,94869%—74 mi
562.1Contact school for pricing$55,82738%Yes*65 mi
660.6Contact school for pricing$53,47760%—47 mi
752.4Contact school for pricing$32,884Not reported—80 mi
836.5Contact school for pricing$39,00465%—84 mi
935.5Contact school for pricing$40,91857%—80 mi
1034.4Contact school for pricing$34,393Not reported—51 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.

Pennsylvania employs approximately 87,550 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,580 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 Pennsylvania, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Pennsylvania? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle 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 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle Services.

Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania credentials this role through Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle Services 3. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Pennsylvania is $58,580 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,560 and experienced professionals can earn $78,330 or more 1.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Pennsylvania

  1. 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.
  2. Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Pennsylvania

CDL truck drivers in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle Services 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.

  2. Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.

  3. Get a CLP and pass the skills test.

  4. Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle Services before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington32,220$59,370$62,060$46,850$79,590
Pittsburgh14,620$57,880$59,050$42,970$76,810
Harrisburg-Carlisle6,800$61,520$63,960$47,360$82,280
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton6,590$60,090$61,540$45,380$80,310
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre5,210$57,580$59,040$39,670$78,830
Lancaster5,080$58,350$58,680$39,740$78,480
York-Hanover3,500$58,590$60,560$45,540$78,090
Reading2,980$58,480$59,860$45,750$78,080
Chambersburg1,410$55,960$57,160$45,860$75,120
Erie1,380$54,770$55,320$39,220$73,920
Lebanon1,380$57,250$61,590$42,360$98,790
Altoona1,290$52,010$54,150$38,650$73,950
Johnstown800$49,980$50,950$36,010$66,180
Williamsport800$56,290$56,720$45,110$74,820
State College650$56,130$56,680$42,360$75,110
Gettysburg590$54,820$55,250$44,480$70,720

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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 87,550 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 Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle Services for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Pennsylvania is $58,580, which is $1,140 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.

In Pennsylvania

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Pennsylvania

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) - Driver and Vehicle Services - Licensing Information: http://www.penndot.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)