How much does a driver/sales worker make?
The median driver/sales worker in the United States earns $38,770 per year, about $18.64 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 2025. 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 $22,590 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $59,980. The average (mean) wage of $40,730 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 | $22,590 | $10.86 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $30,200 | $14.52 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,770 | $18.64 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,000 | $23.56 | |
| 90th percentile | $59,980 | $28.84 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for driver/sales workers (SOC 53-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Driver/sales worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Driver/sales workers earn the most in Alaska at $48,420 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $22,240. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $48,420 | 1,270 |
| Iowa | $47,120 | 4,400 |
| Massachusetts | $46,870 | 3,830 |
| Vermont | $46,300 | 510 |
| California | $45,600 | 34,480 |
| South Dakota | $45,050 | 1,050 |
| New Jersey | $44,720 | 9,720 |
| Colorado | $43,420 | 10,790 |
| Kansas | $43,180 | 1,950 |
| New York | $42,730 | 18,990 |
| Tennessee | $42,220 | 9,620 |
| District of Columbia | $41,600 | 1,020 |
| Washington | $41,570 | 5,890 |
| New Hampshire | $41,520 | 1,990 |
| Oregon | $41,080 | 5,210 |
| Missouri | $40,200 | 7,590 |
| Georgia | $40,040 | 19,150 |
| Maine | $39,900 | 2,160 |
| Arkansas | $39,820 | 3,170 |
| Michigan | $39,610 | 15,490 |
| Alabama | $39,190 | 4,310 |
| Illinois | $38,960 | 13,680 |
| North Dakota | $38,610 | 1,740 |
| Maryland | $38,500 | 11,940 |
| Arizona | $38,440 | 10,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,330 | 15,100 |
| Virginia | $37,180 | 10,780 |
| Kentucky | $37,030 | 6,140 |
| Connecticut | $36,730 | 3,730 |
| North Carolina | $36,540 | 14,530 |
| Louisiana | $36,290 | 3,200 |
| Florida | $36,260 | 24,380 |
| Indiana | $36,250 | 12,040 |
| Texas | $35,850 | 40,950 |
| Idaho | $35,770 | 2,090 |
| Ohio | $35,720 | 20,430 |
| Mississippi | $35,480 | 2,550 |
| Nebraska | $34,950 | 2,590 |
| Rhode Island | $34,230 | 1,260 |
| Minnesota | $32,980 | 9,750 |
| Nevada | $31,760 | 4,310 |
| Hawaii | $31,270 | 920 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $29,770 | 2,970 |
| Oklahoma | $29,120 | 5,110 |
| West Virginia | $28,790 | 2,540 |
| Montana | $27,580 | 2,100 |
| Wisconsin | $27,560 | 10,020 |
| Wyoming | $26,940 | 1,140 |
| Utah | $26,590 | 3,050 |
| South Carolina | $22,240 | 6,430 |
State median wages for driver/sales workers (SOC 53-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. 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 (Alaska, $48,420) and the lowest (South Carolina, $22,240) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 409,180 people work as driver/sales workers in the United States. At $38,770 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 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 $18.64. The middle half of driver/sales workers earn between $14.52 and $23.56 per hour.
What is the highest driver/sales worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of driver/sales workers earn more than $59,980 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 $38,770. The average (mean) wage of $40,730 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 $38,770 a year, a driver/sales worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 409,180 people work as driver/sales workers in the United States.
Which state pays driver/sales workers the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for driver/sales workers at $48,420 a year. Iowa ($47,120) and Massachusetts ($46,870) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
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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