Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Columbia, SC
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $51,280 a year ($24.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,990 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $58,640. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $51,130. There are 14 heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Median | $51,280 | $24.65 |
| 75th percentile | $64,930 | $31.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Average (mean) | $56,240 | $27.04 |
Half of heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,273.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,136.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,972.31 |
| Weekly | $986.15 |
| Hourly | $24.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $56,120 | 18,700 |
| Florence, SC | $55,550 | 1,590 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $55,150 | 6,020 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $53,080 | 5,240 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $52,530 | 730 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $50,700 | 3,630 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $47,920 | 3,250 |
| Sumter, SC | $46,500 | 480 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $46,360 | 1,960 |
Highest-paying states for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $70,100 |
| Washington | $64,760 |
| District of Columbia | $64,170 |
| New Jersey | $63,570 |
| Massachusetts | $63,030 |
| Nevada | $62,290 |
| New York | $62,050 |
| Minnesota | $61,990 |
| Oregon | $61,980 |
| Colorado | $61,500 |
See Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Light Truck Driver | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $44,750 | $21.51 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,800 | $16.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $51,280 a year, or $24.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $78,990 a year. The top 25% earn $64,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,750 a year, and a quarter of heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers earn $45,760 or less.
How many heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers work in Columbia, SC?
About 5,630 heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.