Truck Driver Salaries in Las Vegas

Trucking companies across the state, including Las Vegas, are in need of safe, efficient CDL drivers. Learn more about the average earnings of truck drivers based in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, NV Truck Driver Salaries: At a Glance

How much do truck drivers based in Las Vegas make?

• Over-the-road (OTR) drivers based in Nevada: $0.53 per mile on average
• Local route truck drivers in Las Vegas: $0.42 per mile on average
• Drivers paid hourly: $23 per hour on average

Truck driving jobs are expected to grow between 2% and 5% over the course of ten years -- and that's not including the numerous open, unfilled positions that trucking companies are trying to fill. This makes a truck driving a career that can offer long-term job security, immense freedom, and generous compensation.

Factors Affecting Truck Driver Pay in Las Vegas

As with most industries, there are a lot of variables when it comes to determining the pay of a truck driver in Las Vegas. According to Salary.com, the average truck driver in the Las Vegas area can expect to earn an annual salary that falls somewhere between $36,370 and $50,036 per year. These base salaries are typically determined by the level of experience that a truck driver has, as well as how long they have worked with a particular employer.

Other factors can also heavily influence the rate of payment made to a truck driver, such as any additional skills, education, or CDL endorsements that they may possess, which greatly influences what kinds of truck driving jobs he or she can take. A truck driver who is endorsed to transport hazardous materials, for example, can earn significantly more than one who is not. Some of the most common endorsements that can increase a truck driver's earnings include:

• HAZMAT: This endorsement allows the truck driver to transport hazardous substances. Obtaining a HAZMAT endorsement requires that the driver have extensive knowledge on how to safely transport a variety of harmful materials, such as corrosives, explosives, and flammable liquids. In Las Vegas, as with other locations, drivers must complete a TSA application, be able to prove their identity and provide their fingerprints and receive a security threat assessment. Afterward, they must pass the HAZMAT endorsement test, which evaluates their knowledge of working with hazardous materials.
• Double/Triples: A double or triples endorsement, or the T endorsement, allows truck drivers to haul two or three trailers at once. Because they are hauling as much as three times their usual freight load, this can lead to some of the highest paying truck driving jobs in Las Vegas. To get the endorsement, drivers must possess the skills needed to haul extra trailers and pass a written test.
• Tank Vehicle: This endorsement a driver to haul a tank full of a liquid or gas. Because the material inside the tank is constantly moving while driving, it requires an immense level of experience and skill to learn to drive a tanker safely. To get this endorsement in the state of Nevada, a written test is required.

Other important factors to consider is the type of truck driving route: whether the driver is an over-the-road driver, a regional driver, or a local driver. Over-the-road (OTR) drivers travel extensively across the country and may be away from their home base in Las Vegas for weeks or even months at a time, while regional drivers may be able to consistently come back to Las Vegas for the weekends. Drivers on local Las Vegas routes, on the other hand, are usually home each night. Because of this, over-the-road truckers based in Las Vegas typically receive the highest level of compensation, earning up to $0.53 per mile as an average, while local Vegas area route drivers earn the least at around $0.42 per mile.

This “per mile” payment method is most common for truck drivers in Las Vegas, although some employers prefer to pay per hour. With this option, drivers in the area can expect to earn an average of $23 per hour.

In addition to their pay rate, or base pay, truck drivers often receive other financial incentives. They are commonly rewarded with things like performance and safety bonuses, sign-on bonuses, and referral bonuses. All of these factors can play a large role in determining the salary of a truck driver in Las Vegas.

How to Become a Truck Driver in Las Vegas, Nevada

If you are interested in becoming a truck driver in Las Vegas, you will need to obtain a State of Nevada CDL (commercial driver's license), which comes in several different classes. Getting your CDL usually means that you will need to enroll in a truck driving school to receive training before the CDL test is taken, which includes both a written knowledge test and a skills exam.

While truck driving school usually entails a fairly short training program of weeks rather than months or years, it can still be a significant investment ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. If you are unable to pay for truck driving school directly, you may be able to secure funding through federal financial aid, a loan, or grants and scholarships. Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement to offset the cost of trucking school when you start working.

CDL Requirements in Las Vegas

To qualify for an unrestricted CDL license in the state of Nevada, drivers must be at least 21 years old, while those who wish to drive a commercial vehicle larger than 70 feet must be 25 years of age or older. It is possible to become a truck driver in Nevada if you are under the age of 21. In these instances, you may have a CDL that comes with restrictions that prevent you from transporting hazardous materials or leaving the state of Nevada. Along with training and age requirements, those who are applying for a CDL in Nevada must also:

• Possess a valid non-commercial driver’s license in the state of Nevada
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship and Nevada residency
• Complete an application for Commercial Driving Privileges
• Pass a vision test, as well as any knowledge tests that are applicable to the type of driving you will be doing
• Pay the CDL application fee