How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in West Virginia (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

West Virginia employs about 12,190 CDL truck drivers earning a median $49,480 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 West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in West Virginia

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
183.4Contact school for pricing$37,62198%—61 mi
271.8Contact school for pricing$38,24386%—33 mi
368.4Contact school for pricing$38,61379%—52 mi
464.1Contact school for pricing$53,64872%—96 mi
561.2Contact school for pricing$42,57381%—60 mi
653.8$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$47,46751%Yes*75 mi
753.5Contact school for pricingNot reported95%—46 mi
847.3$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$39,69238%Yes*106 mi
944.3$5,540 in-state / $10,290 out-of-state$44,76437%Yes*74 mi
1040.9$13,654$40,59684%—119 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.

West Virginia employs approximately 12,190 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,480 1. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.31x 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 West Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in West Virginia

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in West Virginia? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles.

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 West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles.

Do I need a license in West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia credentials this role through West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles 3. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in West Virginia is $49,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,350 and experienced professionals can earn $72,230 or more 1.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in West Virginia

  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 West Virginia

CDL truck drivers in West Virginia 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 West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles 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 West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria20,430$59,820$62,330$44,870$82,540
Hagerstown-Martinsburg2,360$56,310$57,160$39,100$81,340
Huntington-Ashland2,330$50,050$53,570$35,560$74,110
Winchester1,460$57,460$58,640$39,160$76,840
Charleston1,430$49,580$53,950$35,940$74,650
Wheeling1,210$57,590$56,390$42,360$69,720
Beckley880$51,340$52,350$35,530$72,150
Weirton-Steubenville730$55,070$54,810$38,010$75,120
Morgantown700$48,560$51,110$36,550$64,190
Parkersburg-Vienna540$47,050$50,230$36,070$73,070

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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 12,190 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 West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in West Virginia is $49,480, which is $7,960 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.

In West Virginia

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in West Virginia

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. West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://www.transportation.wv.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)