Road Warriors Nearby: The Highest Paid Truck Drivers/Sales Workers in the USA

© 2011 by Aurelio Locsin

Truck driver/sales workers or route drivers ply pre-determined routes close to home and also act as salespeople. For example, those that deliver goods to grocery stores may arrange items in the aisles, recommend inventory increases or sell new products to the store management. They may make regular visits to customers along their routes, and visit prospects to sign them up for goods and services. All information on their compensation is from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Driver/sales workers work at 371,670 positions and make a mean $13.02 per hour or $27,070 per year.

• The typical salary range is from $7.69 per hour or $16,000 per year up to $21.80 per hour or $45,340 per year.
• They make less than tractor-trailer truckers who average $18.97 per hour or $39,450 per year, and less than delivery services drivers who average $15.45 per hour or $32,140 per year.
• They also make under the average wage of $21.35 per hour or $44,410 per year for the entire country.

The following industries have the highest employment of truck driver/sales workers.

1. Limited-service eating places boast 30 percent of the positions, with means at $9.18 per hour or $19,100 per year.
2. Grocery and related product merchant wholesalers have 19 percent of jobs at a mean $15.95 per hour or $33,170 per year.
3. Full-service restaurants show 6.5 percent of the employment with mean wages at $8.96 per hour or $18,640 per year.

The best-paying industries are the following.

1. Miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing averages $20.50 per hour or $42,640 per year.
2. Waste treatment and disposal show mean wages at $18.24 per hour or $37,940 per year.

Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverage wholesalers have mean pay at $18.16 per hour or $37,770 per year.

High-population states have the most jobs for truck driver/sales workers.

1. California, the biggest one in terms of population, has 36,690 positions averaging $13.75 per hour or $28,600 per year.
2. Texas, the second most populous state, shows 31,840 jobs with means at $12.11 per hour or $25,200 per year.
3. Ohio has 20,380 jobs at a mean $11.94 per hour or $24,830 per year.

The following states have the highest paying employers.

1. The District of Columbia, which the Labor Department classifies with states, has average salaries of $17.02 per hour or $35,390 per year.
2. Washington State shows means at $15.46 per hour or $32,150 per year.
3. Arkansas averages $15.04 per hour or $31,280 per year.

The nation’s highest population cities have the most jobs for truck driver/sales workers.

1. Chicago, the nation’s third most populated metropolis, has 9,790 jobs at a mean $15.46 per hour or $32,160 per year.
2. Los Angeles, the second most populous city, has 9,500 positions with mean wages of $12.93 per hour or $26,890 per year.
3. New York City, the most populated urban area, shows 7,970 drivers/sales workers averaging $14.47 per hour or $30,090 per year.

As for salaries, these cities top the charts.

1. Lewiston, Idaho, shows mean wages of $21.79 per hour or $45,330 per year.
2. Taunton, Massachusetts, averages $21.77 per hour or $45,290 per year.
3. Iowa City, Iowa, shows mean pay at $21.46 per hour or $44,640 per year.