Key Takeaways
- Truck drivers in Hawaii average about $60,850 a year, about 1.9% above the U.S. average of $59,710.
- Typical pay runs from $47,480 (entry level) to $74,530 (experienced, specialized, or top carriers).
- About 4,070 heavy truck drivers work in Hawaii.
- These are employee (company-driver) wages. Owner-operators gross far more but pay every cost out of it.
- Endorsements, specialized freight, and bonuses are the fastest ways to move up the pay range.
Hawaii truck driver pay vs the national average
| Measure | Hawaii | National |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual wage | $60,850 | $59,710 |
| Median annual wage | $59,820 | — |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $47,480 | — |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $74,530 | — |
| Approx. hourly (average) | $29 | $29 |
| Drivers employed | 4,070 | — |
Figures are for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. BLS updates these annually; verify the current figures at bls.gov.
Company driver vs owner-operator pay
The BLS numbers above are employee wages, what a company driver in Hawaii earns on a W-2. Owner-operators are a different story. They gross a lot more, often $150,000 to $250,000 or higher a year in revenue, but that is not take-home. Out of it come the truck payment, fuel, insurance, maintenance, permits, and taxes. After all of that, many owner-operators net somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000, with wide swings based on rates, miles, and how tightly they run.
If you own or are thinking about owning the truck, your real number depends on your cost per mile, not a salary survey. Run yours with the cost per mile calculator and see what actually lands in your pocket with the take-home pay calculator.
How to earn more as a truck driver
Whatever your starting pay in Hawaii, these are the levers that move you up the range toward that $74,530 top tier:
| Way to earn more | Why it pays |
|---|---|
| CDL endorsements | Hazmat, tanker, and doubles/triples open higher-paying freight most drivers cannot haul. |
| Specialized freight | Flatbed, reefer, tanker, and oversize/heavy-haul typically pay more per mile than dry van. |
| Sign-on bonuses | Carriers often pay $1,000 to $10,000+ to start, usually paid out over your first months. |
| Safety & performance bonuses | Clean inspections, on-time delivery, fuel economy, and mileage targets add quarterly or annual pay. |
| Detention & accessorial pay | Getting paid for waiting at docks, extra stops, tarping, and layovers adds up fast. |
| Referral bonuses | Bringing in other qualified drivers pays a bounty at most carriers. |
| Dedicated or regional runs | Steady lanes can pay a premium and get you home more often. |
| Team driving | Two drivers keep the truck moving nearly around the clock, boosting combined pay. |
| Going owner-operator | The biggest upside, and the biggest risk. You keep the revenue but pay every cost. |
Becoming a truck driver in Hawaii
Getting your commercial driver's license follows the same federal framework everywhere, with your state handling the licensing:
- Meet the basics. You must be 21 to drive interstate (18 for intrastate in many states), hold a valid license, and pass a DOT physical.
- Complete ELDT. Federal Entry-Level Driver Training from a registered provider is required before your first CDL.
- Pass the CDL tests. Take the knowledge and skills tests at your Hawaii licensing agency, adding endorsements you want.
- Get hired or go to school. Many carriers run paid training or tuition reimbursement, so you can earn while you learn.
What is life like on the road?
The honest version: trucking pays a solid middle-class wage without a degree, and there is real freedom in it. But long-haul means days or weeks away from home, early mornings, tight schedules, sitting for long stretches, and eating and sleeping in the truck. Many drivers start over-the-road to build experience, then move to regional or dedicated work for more home time. Local and regional jobs usually pay a bit less but get you home most nights. It is a lifestyle as much as a job, and the drivers who thrive are the ones who go in knowing that.
Truck driver pay in nearby-ranked states
- Vermont: $61,100 a year (#16)
- Indiana: $60,950 a year (#17)
- Utah: $60,900 a year (#18)
- Ohio: $60,660 a year (#20)
- New Hampshire: $60,600 a year (#21)
- Maryland: $60,590 a year (#22)
See the full truck driver salary by state ranking.