On the subject of blue-collar jobs that don’t require very a lot (if any) increased training, truck driver and welder are prime profession selections. Maybe you might be contemplating one or the opposite. Or perhaps you might be already doing one in all these jobs, and you might be intrigued by the opposite. The burning query lingers… Do truck drivers make greater than welders?
The straightforward reply to this query is YES. Truck drivers make more cash than welders. However this reply relies solely on nationwide (US) averages. There are definitely many exceptions. For instance… a profession welder with many years of expertise who has labored for a similar firm for almost all of their profession will virtually definitely earn greater than a rookie truck driver who’s simply beginning out.
To reply the query pretty, we should base our reply on precise wage information derived from United States averages for every occupation. Let’s dig in and evaluate a number of the numbers!
How A lot Does an Common Truck Driver Earn
Annual earnings for truck drivers can differ wildly, relying on which kind of trucking enterprise or job we’re speaking about and the compensation mannequin. Some truck drivers receives a commission by the mile, whereas others are paid hourly. Location is one other huge issue, as some areas of the US pay truck drivers increased wages, and a few areas pay much less.

On the time I’m scripting this, the common base wage for a truck driver in America is $77,565 per 12 months, based on information reported and picked up at certainly.com. This common can vary from reported common low salaries of $51,033 per 12 months to reported excessive salaries of $117,890 per 12 months.
Notice: click on the hyperlink above for up-to-date stats and information on truck driver salaries in America from certainly.com.
Associated Learn: 10 Revealing Statistics About The Truck Driving Occupation
How A lot Does an Common Welder Earn
Annual earnings for welders will differ, based mostly on the kind of welding that the job requires and whether or not or not the welder is expert in fabrication. Any individual who simply does welding is often paid lower than a talented welder & fabricator. Location is one other issue, as some areas of the US pay welders increased wages, and a few areas pay much less.

On the time I’m scripting this, the common base wage for a welder in America is $44,325 per 12 months, based on information reported and picked up at certainly.com. This common can vary from reported common low salaries of $31,701 per 12 months to reported excessive salaries of $61,976 per 12 months.
On the time I’m scripting this, the common base wage for a welder & fabricator in America is $64,500 per 12 months, based on information reported and picked up at certainly.com. This common can vary from reported common low salaries of $47,103 per 12 months to reported excessive salaries of $88,323 per 12 months.
Notice: click on the hyperlinks above for up-to-date stats and information on welder salaries in America from certainly.com.
Do Truck Drivers Make Greater than Welders?
Even when truck drivers aren’t thought of to be wealthy, they do earn more cash than welders. This holds true even when we’re evaluating the common truck driver’s annual wage to that of a very expert welder & fabricator. A mean truck driver, in America, earns about $13,000 extra per 12 months than an average-earning welder & fabricator.
Once more, listed below are the common general salaries for every occupation, as reported on certainly.com on the time this was revealed…
- Truck Driver – $77,565
- Welder & Fabricator – $64,500
- Welder – $44,325
Time is Cash
Nevertheless, cash isn’t the one factor to think about when selecting a profession path (or a job). Have you ever ever heard the saying, “time is cash?” It’s true. Time can generally be extra precious than cash. When attempting to determine between a truck driving profession versus a welding profession, you’ll wish to look into the time commitments for every.
As a truck driver myself – I can let you know that there isn’t any such factor as a set schedule for a truck driver. Even for those who work a neighborhood truck driving job like I do… you might begin on the identical time on daily basis however you by no means know what time your day will finish. All of it relies on the place you go that day and what occurs at every cease.
Many welders work in factories or retailers the place they’ve set schedules. When your shift ends, you clock out and go residence. In case you worth your time away from work greater than you worth the potential cash that you might earn – you might wish to take into account a profession in welding over a profession in trucking.
Often Requested Questions
You may have questions. We now have solutions. Listed below are some widespread questions surrounding the query… ‘do truck drivers make greater than welders’…

Do truckers make more cash than welders?
Sure. Truck drivers earn a median yearly wage of $77,565 in the US, in comparison with a median yearly wage of solely $44,325 for welders.
What’s the highest-paying job in trucking?
Two of the highest-paying jobs in trucking are tanker truck drivers and hazmat (hazardous supplies) drivers, which will be one and the identical for those who’re speaking a few tanker truck that’s stuffed with hazardous materials (like gasoline).
Do truckers make 100k a 12 months?
Not all truckers make $100,000 per 12 months, however it’s changing into an increasing number of widespread for truckers to have the ability to hit that elusive 6-figure mark. Pay charges are ever-increasing, and truckers who’re keen to place within the hours and drive the miles can definitely earn $100k or extra.
How do you grow to be a truck driver?
Truck driver coaching applications can be found all throughout the US. Many trucking corporations will even pay on your coaching in trade for you agreeing to work for them for a sure time period.
How a lot do CDL truck drivers make?
A CDL truck driver earns a median wage, in the US, of $77,565. This common can vary from reported common low salaries of $51,033 per 12 months to reported excessive salaries of $117,890 per 12 months.
The place can I work as a CDL truck driver?
Trucking corporations make use of CDL truck drivers all throughout the US of America. Trucking corporations are virtually at all times hiring, in good financial occasions and through dangerous financial occasions.