Relating to blue-collar jobs that don’t require very a lot (if any) greater training, truck driver and welder are prime profession selections. Maybe you’re contemplating one or the opposite. Or possibly you’re already doing one in every of these jobs, and you’re intrigued by the opposite. The burning query lingers… Do truck drivers make greater than welders?
The easy reply to this query is YES. Truck drivers make more cash than welders. However this reply relies solely on nationwide (US) averages. There are actually 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 actually 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 knowledge derived from United States averages for every career. Let’s dig in and evaluate among the numbers!
How A lot Does an Common Truck Driver Earn
Annual earnings for truck drivers can range 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 large issue, as some areas of america pay truck drivers greater 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 knowledge 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.
Word: click on the hyperlink above for up-to-date stats and knowledge on truck driver salaries in America from certainly.com.
Associated Learn: 10 Revealing Statistics About The Truck Driving Career
How A lot Does an Common Welder Earn
Annual earnings for welders will range, based mostly on the kind of welding that the job requires and whether or not or not the welder is expert in fabrication. Any person who simply does welding is usually paid lower than a talented welder & fabricator. Location is one other issue, as some areas of america pay welders greater 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 knowledge 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 knowledge 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.
Word: click on the hyperlinks above for up-to-date stats and knowledge on welder salaries in America from certainly.com.
Do Truck Drivers Make Greater than Welders?
Even when truck drivers should not 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 total salaries for every career, as reported on certainly.com on the time this was printed…
- Truck Driver – $77,565
- Welder & Fabricator – $64,500
- Welder – $44,325
Time is Cash
Nevertheless, cash isn’t the one factor to contemplate 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 making an attempt to resolve 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 inform you that there isn’t any such factor as a set schedule for a truck driver. Even in the event you work a neighborhood truck driving job like I do… you could begin on the similar time each day 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 outlets the place they’ve set schedules. When your shift ends, you clock out and go dwelling. In case you worth your time away from work greater than you worth the potential cash that you would earn – you could wish to take into account a profession in welding over a profession in trucking.
Often Requested Questions
You might have questions. We’ve got solutions. Listed below are some frequent questions surrounding the query… ‘do truck drivers make greater than welders’…

Do truckers make more cash than welders?
Sure. Truck drivers earn a mean yearly wage of $77,565 in america, in comparison with a mean 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 could be one and the identical in the event you’re speaking a couple of tanker truck that’s full of hazardous materials (like gasoline).
Do truckers make 100k a 12 months?
Not all truckers make $100,000 per 12 months, however it’s turning into increasingly more frequent 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 actually earn $100k or extra.
How do you change into a truck driver?
Truck driver coaching packages can be found all throughout america. Many trucking firms 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 mean wage, in america, 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 firms make use of CDL truck drivers all throughout america of America. Trucking firms are virtually at all times hiring, in good financial occasions and through dangerous financial occasions.