Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2024)

How does Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

126% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,990
$3,082/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$58,450
$4,871/mo
Senior (P90)
$83,470
$6,956/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,990
National: $39,083
-5.4%
Mid-Career (Median)
$58,450
National: $54,179
+7.9%
Senior (P90)
$83,470
National: $75,140
+11.1%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Illinois spans from $36,990 at entry-level to $83,470 at senior level — a difference of $46,480 per year.

P10
$36K
P25
$46K
Median
$58K
P75
$72K
P90
$83K

Career Growth Premium: +126%

Senior Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss in Illinois earn $46,480 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$46,480
Monthly Difference
+$3,873
Hourly Difference
+$22.35
Growth Multiple
2.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $36,990 $3,082 $17.78
Early Career P25 $46,200 $3,850 $22.21
Mid-Career Median $58,450 $4,871 $28.10
Experienced P75 $72,110 $6,009 $34.67
Senior / Expert P90 $83,470 $6,956 $40.13
Key Insight

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Illinois shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $36,990, while senior-level professionals earn $83,470 — a 126% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($58,450) and experienced level ($72,110), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$89,760
Entry: $37K
+138%
2
$84,390
Entry: $45K
+84%
3
$84,140
Entry: $46K
+80%
4
$83,470
Entry: $36K
+126%
5
$83,110
Entry: $42K
+94%
6
$81,680
Entry: $42K
+92%
7
$81,610
Entry: $46K
+75%
8
$80,610
Entry: $45K
+77%
9
$79,990
Entry: $41K
+90%
10
$79,290
Entry: $44K
+80%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?

Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss (10th percentile) earn approximately $36,990 per year, or $3,082 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $46,200. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make?

Senior Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss (90th percentile) earn approximately $83,470 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $72,110. This represents a career premium of 126% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?

The career salary growth potential for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss is 126%. Entry-level professionals start at $36,990, while senior-level can earn up to $83,470 — a difference of $46,480 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss?

The highest-paying state for senior Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driverss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $83,470 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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