How Much Does a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver (CDL) Make in North Carolina (NC) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in North Carolina (NC)
$53,140/yr ($25.55/hr · $42,691 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$41,450 ($19.93/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$71,740 ($34.49/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,641.94
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$38.33/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $19.93/hr | $41,450 | −$7,655.56 | $33,794.44 | $1,299.79 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $25.55/hr | $53,140 | −$10,449.46 | $42,690.54 | $1,641.94 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $34.49/hr | $71,740 | −$15,721.36 | $56,018.64 | $2,154.56 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($26.36/hr)California ($31.74/hr)Florida ($25.55/hr)New York ($31.20/hr)Illinois ($27.71/hr)Arizona ($26.09/hr)New Jersey ($30.13/hr)Georgia ($25.82/hr)North Carolina ($25.55/hr)Washington ($30.93/hr)Pennsylvania ($26.63/hr)Ohio ($25.29/hr)Nevada ($26.36/hr)Colorado ($28.51/hr)Virginia ($28.25/hr)Massachusetts ($31.47/hr)Michigan ($25.82/hr)Tennessee ($24.75/hr)Indiana ($25.02/hr)Maryland ($29.05/hr)Minnesota ($27.98/hr)Missouri ($24.75/hr)Wisconsin ($26.09/hr)Oregon ($28.25/hr)Connecticut ($29.86/hr)Utah ($26.09/hr)South Carolina ($24.48/hr)Alabama ($23.67/hr)Louisiana ($23.94/hr)Kentucky ($23.94/hr)Oklahoma ($23.94/hr)Kansas ($24.75/hr)Iowa ($25.02/hr)New Mexico ($24.75/hr)Arkansas ($23.40/hr)Mississippi ($22.86/hr)Nebraska ($25.29/hr)Idaho ($25.02/hr)Hawaii ($29.05/hr)New Hampshire ($27.71/hr)Maine ($25.55/hr)Rhode Island ($27.44/hr)Montana ($24.75/hr)Delaware ($27.17/hr)South Dakota ($24.48/hr)North Dakota ($25.55/hr)Alaska ($29.32/hr)Vermont ($26.36/hr)West Virginia ($23.13/hr)Wyoming ($25.55/hr)