Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Truck Driver Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $53,300 ($25.63/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,800/year and the 90th was $79,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $43,389 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$53,300$25.63 per hour · $4,442 monthly
10th Percentile$40,800$19.62/hr base
25th Percentile$47,900$23.03/hr base
75th Percentile$64,800$31.15/hr base
90th Percentile$79,000$37.98/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$53,300
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,300
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,389After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,616Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,669Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,216 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,618 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,077 / yr

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$19.62/hr$3,400$40,800$33,844
25th Percentile$23.03/hr$3,992$47,900$39,265
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$25.63/hr$4,442$53,300$43,389
75th Percentile$31.15/hr$5,400$64,800$52,170
90th Percentile$37.98/hr$6,583$79,000$61,763

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$53,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio63.8%of area median income

Compare truck drivers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for truck drivers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for truck drivers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $53,300, which equates to approximately $4,442 per month or $25.63 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for truck drivers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for truck drivers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $25.63 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.62/hour and one in ten earned more than $37.98/hour.

What is the pay range for truck drivers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for truck drivers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $40,800 at the 10th percentile to $47,900 at the 25th, $64,800 at the 75th, and $79,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do truck drivers take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $53,300, an estimated $43,389 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,669 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,911 (an effective rate of 18.6%).

How much do truck drivers make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $53,300, gross monthly income is $4,442. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,616 per month (or $1,669 every two weeks).

Is $53,300 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $53,300, the median salary for truck drivers is 63.8% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.