CDL truck driver jobs in DFW: pay, Texas licensing and how to get hired

Dallas–Fort Worth sits at the crossroads of I-35, I-20, I-30 and I-45, with warehouses, manufacturers and distribution centers that keep trucks moving every day. Here is what CDL driving pays, what Texas and federal rules require, and how to get hired.

What CDL truck drivers earn

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $58,640 (May 2025) for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers - about $28.19 an hour. The lowest 10% earned under $40,140 and the top 10% over $79,380. In truck transportation, the median was $60,320. For context, the median for all occupations was $50,980. BLS projects 4% growth from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 214,500 openings a year nationwide and about 2,221,200 jobs in 2025.

Many drivers are paid by the mile, plus bonuses. The per-mile rate varies by employer, cargo and experience. Some long-distance drivers, especially owner-operators, are paid a share of the shipping revenue. Ask exactly how pay, detention time and layover are calculated before you accept.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (May 2025 wage data).

Texas and federal CDL rules in plain words

• You need a commercial driver's license (CDL) to drive most heavy trucks. In Texas, the Department of Public Safety issues Class A, B and C commercial licenses. A Class A CDL covers combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more when the towed vehicle's GVWR exceeds 10,000 pounds - the typical tractor-trailer. A Class B CDL covers a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more (or that vehicle towing 10,000 pounds or less), and vehicles designed to transport 24 or more passengers including the driver.
• Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP): first-time applicants and most upgrades must get a CLP and hold it for at least 14 days before the skills test. You must already have a valid Texas driver license. When you practice on public roads, a qualified CDL holder who is 21 or older and has the same class of license must sit next to you.
• Knowledge and skills tests: knowledge exams are Texas Commercial Rules, General Knowledge, Combination (Class A only), Air Brakes if the vehicle has them, then any endorsements. Skills tests are a vehicle inspection (pre-trip), basic vehicle control, and a road test in a commercial vehicle that matches your permit.
• Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT): federal rules require first-time Class A or Class B applicants - and drivers upgrading to Class A or B - to complete ELDT with a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before the skills test. Texas DPS explains the same requirement on its ELDT page. The rule also covers first-time school bus (S), passenger (P) or hazardous materials (H) endorsements. It does not apply to people who already held that CDL or endorsement before February 7, 2022.
• Medical examiner's certificate (DOT physical): most interstate CDL drivers must self-certify their driving category and keep a current Medical Examiner's Certificate on file. Texas DPS describes this on its CDL medical certification page. Certificates are valid for a maximum of 24 months; the examiner can issue a shorter one. Interstate (across state lines) driving generally requires you to be 21 or older.

What a DFW trucking week looks like

• Local and regional routes that return you home most nights, or over-the-road runs that keep you out for days or weeks. Ask which one you are signing up for.
• Pre-trip and post-trip inspections, securing freight, and logging hours. Federal hours-of-service rules, as summarized by BLS, limit long-haul drivers to no more than 14 hours on duty (up to 11 hours driving), with at least 10 hours off between shifts, and no more than 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days before a 34-hour reset.
• Warehouse docks and distribution centers across the metroplex, plus highway miles on I-35, I-20, I-30 and I-45. Expect waiting time at docks and metroplex traffic.
• Nights, weekends and holidays are common. Summer heat and winter ice storms both change how the week feels.

Questions to ask in the interview

• Is this local, regional or over-the-road - and how many nights a week am I home?
• Is pay by the mile, hourly, salary, or a percentage of the load? How are detention, layover and breakdown time paid?
• Is the role W-2 or 1099, and who pays for fuel, tolls, insurance and the truck?
• Will you sponsor or reimburse CDL school and ELDT? Which endorsements do you require?

Related: trucking jobs · apprentice to journeyman · 1099 vs. W-2 jobs · DFW job search guide · DFW trade pay questions.

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FAQ

Do I need a CDL to drive a heavy truck in Texas?

Yes for most heavy trucks. Texas DPS issues Class A, B and C commercial licenses. First-time Class A or B applicants must hold a commercial learner permit for at least 14 days, complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training with a registered provider, pass knowledge and skills tests, and - for most interstate work - keep a current Medical Examiner's Certificate on file.

How much do CDL truck drivers make?

BLS reports a median of $58,640 a year (about $28.19 an hour) for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (May 2025). The top 10% earned over $79,380.

What does a typical DFW trucking week look like?

It depends on whether the job is local, regional or over-the-road. Local and regional work often returns you home most nights; long-haul runs can keep you out for days or weeks. Expect inspections, hour logs, dock waits and highway miles across the metroplex.