How much does a driver/sales worker make?
The median driver/sales worker in the United States earns $37,130 per year, about $17.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all driver/sales workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-3031.
Driver/sales worker salary range
Pay for driver/sales workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $21,760 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $59,730. The average (mean) wage of $39,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,760 | $10.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $37,130 | $17.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $47,590 | $22.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $59,730 | $28.72 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for driver/sales workers (SOC 53-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Driver/sales worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Driver/sales workers earn the most in Hawaii at $47,240 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $23,220. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $47,240 | 840 |
| Vermont | $44,900 | 630 |
| California | $44,370 | 35,220 |
| Michigan | $44,200 | 12,850 |
| Colorado | $43,560 | 10,770 |
| Kansas | $43,380 | 2,460 |
| Massachusetts | $42,790 | 5,270 |
| Louisiana | $41,950 | 3,150 |
| Alaska | $41,590 | 770 |
| Tennessee | $41,200 | 7,080 |
| New York | $40,970 | 23,860 |
| South Dakota | $39,900 | 1,240 |
| Missouri | $39,410 | 9,930 |
| Iowa | $39,110 | 4,640 |
| Arizona | $38,910 | 10,020 |
| Washington | $38,800 | 8,930 |
| North Dakota | $38,610 | 1,340 |
| Oregon | $38,180 | 5,990 |
| Alabama | $37,710 | 5,620 |
| New Jersey | $37,450 | 11,700 |
| Arkansas | $37,440 | 3,200 |
| Maine | $36,610 | 1,450 |
| Wyoming | $36,450 | 950 |
| Florida | $36,340 | 23,270 |
| Illinois | $36,220 | 18,560 |
| Virginia | $36,040 | 8,740 |
| District of Columbia | $35,750 | 820 |
| Indiana | $35,660 | 12,110 |
| Connecticut | $35,630 | 3,680 |
| Texas | $35,580 | 38,930 |
| Maryland | $34,960 | 14,160 |
| New Mexico | $34,870 | 2,510 |
| Idaho | $34,670 | 2,110 |
| Mississippi | $34,290 | 2,290 |
| New Hampshire | $34,080 | 2,620 |
| Rhode Island | $33,280 | 1,500 |
| Delaware | $32,970 | N/A |
| Georgia | $32,970 | 12,910 |
| Ohio | $32,500 | 20,580 |
| Minnesota | $32,390 | 8,800 |
| Nebraska | $32,390 | 2,980 |
| Kentucky | $31,620 | 6,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,680 | 19,010 |
| South Carolina | $30,510 | 5,120 |
| North Carolina | $30,210 | 13,850 |
| Montana | $30,100 | 1,800 |
| West Virginia | $28,660 | 2,350 |
| Wisconsin | $27,030 | 9,150 |
| Utah | $26,310 | 3,380 |
| Nevada | $25,690 | 4,820 |
| Oklahoma | $23,220 | 5,570 |
State median wages for driver/sales workers (SOC 53-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for driver/sales workers
The BLS projects employment of driver/sales workers to grow 7.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 442,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 478,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 45,500 openings a year for driver/sales workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a driver/sales worker
The typical entry-level education for driver/sales workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a driver/sales worker earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $47,240) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $23,220) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 417,420 people work as driver/sales workers in the United States. At $37,130 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Driver/sales worker salary FAQ
How much does a driver/sales worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a driver/sales worker is $17.85. The middle half of driver/sales workers earn between $14.00 and $22.88 per hour.
What is the highest driver/sales worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of driver/sales workers earn more than $59,730 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a driver/sales worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a driver/sales worker is $37,130. The average (mean) wage of $39,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a driver/sales worker a well paid job?
At $37,130 a year, a driver/sales worker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 417,420 people work as driver/sales workers in the United States.
Which state pays driver/sales workers the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for driver/sales workers at $47,240 a year. Vermont ($44,900) and California ($44,370) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a driver/sales worker a good career?
Employment of driver/sales workers is projected to grow 7.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 45,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a driver/sales worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for driver/sales workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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