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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$59,580

Mean: $60,080

~$46,472 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$28.64

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Milwaukee, WI — median $59,580/year, range $49,620-$65,810

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$49,620

Median

$59,580

75th %

$65,810

Median is in the 62th percentile of the typical range

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in other WI cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in WI.

About Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries in Milwaukee, WI

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $59,580 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $60,080, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in this area earn between $49,620 and $65,810. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $28.64 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

4% growthAs fast as average (BLS 2024–2034)

4% growth, but the real story is the shortage. The industry has been 50,000–80,000 drivers short for years. Companies are raising pay, offering signing bonuses, and improving home-time policies to attract drivers. Autonomous trucks aren't replacing drivers at scale anytime soon.

Worth knowing: Owner-operators (drivers who own their truck) can earn $150K–$200K gross, but expenses are high — truck payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance. Net take-home is usually $80K–$120K after costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in Milwaukee?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $59,580. The average (mean) is $60,080, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers make per hour in Milwaukee?

About $28.64/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in Milwaukee?

The middle 50% earn between $49,620 and $65,810. Below $49,620 is typically entry-level; above $65,810 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $59,580 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$59,580$46,472
Monthly$4,965$3,873
Biweekly$2,292$1,787
Weekly$1,146$894
Hourly (40h/wk)$28.64$22.34
Hourly (35h/wk)$32.74$25.53
Hourly (30h/wk)$38.19$29.79
Daily (8h)$229$179

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, based on BLS median salary data.

Related Occupations in Milwaukee

Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.

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