Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Truck Driver Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $48,300 ($23.22/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,000/year and the 90th was $71,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,571 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,300$23.22 per hour · $4,025 monthly
10th Percentile$37,000$17.79/hr base
25th Percentile$43,500$20.91/hr base
75th Percentile$58,800$28.27/hr base
90th Percentile$71,600$34.42/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

$48,300
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,300
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,571After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,298Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,522Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,616 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,418 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,695 / yr

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$17.79/hr$3,083$37,000$30,942
25th Percentile$20.91/hr$3,625$43,500$35,905
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.22/hr$4,025$48,300$39,571
75th Percentile$28.27/hr$4,900$58,800$47,588
90th Percentile$34.42/hr$5,967$71,600$56,852

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio76.9%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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for truck drivers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for truck drivers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $48,300, which equates to approximately $4,025 per month or $23.22 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for truck drivers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for truck drivers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $23.22 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.79/hour and one in ten earned more than $34.42/hour.

What is the pay range for truck drivers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for truck drivers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $37,000 at the 10th percentile to $43,500 at the 25th, $58,800 at the 75th, and $71,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do truck drivers take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $48,300, an estimated $39,571 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,522 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,729 (an effective rate of 18.1%).

How much do truck drivers make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $48,300, gross monthly income is $4,025. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,298 per month (or $1,522 every two weeks).

Is $48,300 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $48,300, the median salary for truck drivers is 76.9% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.