Truck Driver Salary in Chicago & Illinois: What You Can Expect to Earn in 2026

Wondering how much truck drivers make in Illinois? The good news: trucking is one of the highest-paying careers you can enter without a four-year degree. Here's a comprehensive look at truck driver salaries in Illinois for 2026.

Average Truck Driver Salary in Illinois

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in Illinois is $76,420 — significantly above the national median of $54,320 for all occupations.

Salary by Experience Level

• Entry-level (0–1 year): $45,000–$55,000/year
• Mid-career (2–5 years): $60,000–$75,000/year
• Experienced (5+ years): $75,000–$95,000+/year
• Owner-operators: $100,000–$150,000+ (gross)

Salary by Route Type

• Local/Regional routes: $55,000–$70,000 (home daily or weekly)
• Long-haul/OTR: $65,000–$90,000 (on the road 2–3 weeks at a time)
• Specialized freight (hazmat, oversized): $80,000–$110,000+

Benefits Beyond Base Salary

Many trucking companies offer significant benefits packages including health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, sign-on bonuses ($2,000–$10,000), and per-diem pay. When you factor in these benefits, total compensation often exceeds $90,000 for experienced drivers.

The ROI of CDL Training

At GetCDL School, our Class A CDL program costs $3,000. With a starting salary of $50,000/year, you'll recoup your training investment in less than 4 weeks of work. Over a 20-year career, a CDL can generate over $1.5 million in earnings.

Learn more about our job placement program or enroll today to start your trucking career.