How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in Massachusetts? (2026 Salary Guide)

What’s the Average Truck Driver Salary in Massachusetts?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median truck driver wage in Massachusetts at around $50,310, but that number’s a floor, not a ceiling. When you break it down by CDL class and route type, the picture looks considerably better.

Entry-level drivers starting on local routes typically earn $58,000 to $64,000 in their first year. Experienced regional and OTR drivers regularly land between $65,000 and $93,600. And drivers with specialized endorsements like HazMat and tanker frequently push past $100,000.

Massachusetts runs a regional freight economy. Unlike states built around long cross-country hauls, the Commonwealth keeps drivers closer to home through Boston’s dense distribution networks, the Route 128 pharmaceutical corridor, and consistent local delivery demand from Plymouth County up through the North Shore. That means competitive hourly rates and more predictable overtime, even for local drivers who prefer to be home every night.

Truck Driver Salary in Massachusetts by CDL Class

Your CDL class is the single biggest factor in your salary ceiling. Here’s how the numbers break down.

Class A CDL Driver Salary in Massachusetts

Class A covers combination vehicles including tractor-trailers, flatbeds, tankers, and double/triple trailer rigs. It’s the most versatile license and the one that opens up the highest-paying positions.

In Massachusetts, Class A drivers earn:

• Local Class A routes: $60,000 to $75,000 per year
• Regional routes (home weekly): $65,000 to $85,000 per year
• OTR / long-haul: $73,000 to $90,000 per year
• Specialized freight (HazMat, tanker): $80,000 to $126,000+ per year

Boston metro Class A drivers consistently outperform the state average. Port activity at the Port of Boston, pharmaceutical freight moving out of the Route 128 Bio Belt, and Logan Airport’s growing air cargo operation all create sustained demand for Class A drivers willing to work the greater Boston area.

CMSC Parker CDL’s Class A CDL training program covers the 160-hour ELDT curriculum required by the FMCSA, giving graduates a direct path to these positions.

Class B CDL Driver Salary in Massachusetts

Class B covers straight trucks, delivery vehicles, school buses, and transit buses. The route is almost always local, which trades top-end salary for consistency and home time.

Massachusetts Class B drivers typically earn:

• Local delivery: $53,000 to $67,000 per year
• Transit and school buses: $48,000 to $62,000 per year
• Construction (mixers, dumps): $55,000 to $72,000 per year

Starting pay for new Class B drivers in the Boston metro area runs $28 to $34 per hour. That’s a strong starting point for someone entering commercial driving for the first time.

The Class B CDL training program at CMSC Parker CDL completes in 5 weeks full-time or 7 weekends, making it one of the fastest paths into a stable commercial driving career in Massachusetts.

How CDL Endorsements Affect Your Pay in Massachusetts

Endorsements are the most direct lever a driver can pull to increase earnings after getting their base CDL. The Massachusetts driver shortage is most acute for Class A drivers with HazMat and tanker credentials, which means those drivers negotiate from a position of strength.

HazMat Endorsement (H)

The HazMat endorsement unlocks routes transporting hazardous materials, including chemicals, fuel, and industrial gases. It requires ELDT theory training, passing the HazMat knowledge exam, and a TSA background check that costs $85.25 and can take 60 days or more to clear. The payoff is significant: HazMat positions typically pay $8,000 to $20,000 above base Class A rates in Massachusetts.

Tanker Endorsement (N)

The tanker endorsement (N) allows you to haul liquid freight in bulk. It requires a written knowledge exam only, with no ELDT requirement and no TSA check. Tanker routes run throughout New England and pay a consistent premium over standard dry freight.

Combination HazMat + Tanker (X Endorsement)

If you hold both the H and N endorsements, your license displays the X endorsement. This combination is the single highest-earning credential tier in Massachusetts commercial driving. Fuel tanker routes, chemical transport, and specialty liquid freight all fall under this category.

Double/Triple Trailer Endorsement (T)

The T endorsement covers combination vehicles with two or three trailers. It requires a knowledge exam, no ELDT. Doubles and triples routes are less common in the Boston metro because of infrastructure constraints, but available through regional freight networks heading west and north.

Truck Driver Salary by City in Massachusetts

Where you work within Massachusetts matters. Boston and its immediate suburbs pay the most. Cities like Worcester, Springfield, and Brockton offer strong local and regional rates without the Boston cost-of-living premium eating into take-home pay.

• Boston: CDL-A average $73,737/year
• Springfield: CDL-A average $68,470/year
• Worcester: CDL-A average $66,651/year
• Brockton/South Shore: strong local demand, consistent freight from Plymouth County distribution hubs

CMSC Parker CDL operates from its Brockton location at 500 Belmont Street and its West Boylston campus, placing graduates directly in the two freight corridors where demand is most consistent: Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts.

How Experience Level Changes Your Earning Potential

Trucking is one of the faster industries for wage growth relative to years on the road. Entry-level drivers start lower but close the gap quickly if they stay consistent and pick up endorsements.

• Entry-level (0–2 years), local routes: $58,000 to $64,000
• Experienced driver (2+ years), regional or OTR: $65,000 to $93,600
• Specialized freight (HazMat, tanker): $80,000 to $126,000+
• Owner-operator (after expenses): $102,000 to $126,000+ depending on market

Most drivers who come through a quality training program with job placement support, like the program at CMSC Parker CDL, land their first paying position within weeks of receiving their CDL, not months.

Is the Cost of CDL Training Worth It in Massachusetts?

CDL training in Massachusetts costs between $5,000 and $7,000 at most private schools. The Class A program at CMSC Parker CDL runs 8 weeks full-time (or 10 weekends for those who need flexibility). At an entry salary of $58,000 to $64,000, you’ll recover training costs inside the first year.

More importantly, Massachusetts makes CDL training genuinely affordable through programs that eliminate most or all of the upfront cost:

• MassHire Individual Training Accounts (ITA): Government-funded training grants for eligible job seekers and career changers. CMSC Parker CDL is a MassHire-approved provider.
• Senator Donnelly Grant: The successor to the Workforce Competitive Trust Fund, this grant covers tuition for eligible CDL candidates and provides two years of funding support.
• Company-sponsored training: Many Massachusetts trucking companies will pay for your CDL in exchange for a one-year employment commitment, and that is a path worth exploring if you already have a company in mind.

The full breakdown of how these funding options work is in our financial aid for CDL training guide. Most students who go through MassHire channels pay little to nothing out of pocket.

Why CMSC Parker CDL Graduates Enter the Market Ready to Earn

There’s a difference between getting your CDL and being ready to work. CMSC Parker CDL has trained commercial drivers in Massachusetts since 1996, and the curriculum is built around what Massachusetts employers actually look for: clean pre-trip inspection performance, strong backing skills, and the ability to handle real freight on real roads without extended hand-holding.

Both training locations, Brockton and West Boylston, use late-model trucks matched to RMV test requirements. Students test on the same equipment they trained on. The school includes up to three sponsored road test attempts in enrollment, handles ELDT submission to the federal Training Provider Registry internally, and offers job placement support through a network of regional trucking and logistics employers.

If you want to know more about the program, schedules, or funding options for your situation, reach out to CMSC Parker CDL directly and a counselor will map out your timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a truck driver make in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts truck drivers earn between $58,000 and $93,600 per year depending on CDL class, route type, and experience. Class A OTR drivers in the Boston metro earn $73,000 to $90,000. Class B local drivers typically earn $53,000 to $67,000.

How much does a Class A CDL driver make in Massachusetts?

Class A CDL drivers average $64,800 to $105,000 annually in Massachusetts. OTR positions in the Boston metro average $73,000 to $90,000. Specialized freight (HazMat, tanker) adds $8,000 to $20,000 on top of base pay.

Do CDL endorsements increase your salary in Massachusetts?

Yes. HazMat and tanker endorsements add $8,000 to $20,000 per year above base pay. The combination X endorsement is the highest-earning single credential available to Massachusetts CDL holders.

Is truck driving worth it financially in Massachusetts?

For most people, yes. CDL training costs $5,000 to $7,000 and takes 8 to 10 weeks. Entry-level drivers recover training costs within the first year. MassHire ITA funding and the Senator Donnelly Grant eliminate most upfront costs for eligible candidates.

What city in Massachusetts pays truck drivers the most?

Boston pays the most, with CDL-A drivers averaging $73,737 per year. Worcester and Springfield are next. The Boston premium comes from pharmaceutical freight, port activity, and dense regional distribution demand.