How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Wisconsin
Wisconsin employs approximately 53,330 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,610 1. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.37x 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 Wisconsin, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in Wisconsin
How do I become a cdl truck driver in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL). The licensing authority is the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Wisconsin is $58,610 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,920 and experienced professionals can earn $76,380 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: Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $58,610 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Wisconsin 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. |
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 Wisconsin
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 20,430 | $64,200 | $66,500 | $48,080 | $83,410 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 10,250 | $59,580 | $60,080 | $45,300 | $77,940 |
| Green Bay | 4,860 | $59,810 | $59,130 | $45,890 | $74,370 |
| Madison | 4,160 | $59,700 | $59,620 | $44,110 | $77,750 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 2,100 | $60,300 | $63,330 | $47,000 | $81,470 |
| Duluth | 2,050 | $60,970 | $63,360 | $46,510 | $81,430 |
| Appleton | 1,980 | $58,730 | $58,230 | $46,440 | $75,510 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 1,670 | $59,800 | $60,090 | $45,470 | $74,500 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 1,620 | $59,790 | $60,690 | $45,710 | $76,820 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 1,610 | $59,490 | $60,390 | $45,790 | $76,660 |
| Eau Claire | 1,480 | $57,220 | $56,870 | $42,600 | $75,200 |
| Wausau | 1,460 | $58,520 | $57,780 | $45,360 | $74,260 |
| Kenosha | 1,260 | $61,610 | $60,460 | $46,470 | $77,840 |
| Fond du Lac | 1,030 | $57,730 | $59,120 | $46,270 | $82,150 |
| Sheboygan | 970 | $56,820 | $57,930 | $47,010 | $76,840 |
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 Wisconsin
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within Wisconsin according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 10,250 | $59,580 |
| Green Bay | 4,860 | $59,810 |
| Madison | 4,160 | $59,700 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 2,100 | $60,300 |
| Appleton | 1,980 | $58,730 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Madison.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 53,330 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 Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Wisconsin.
How much do cdl truck drivers earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Wisconsin is $58,610, which is $1,170 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://wisconsindot.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |