Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in Columbia, SC
In Columbia, SC, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn $52,730 at the median — $25.35 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $76K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.66), which stretches that salary to about $56,299 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,276/month — about 36.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $53K get you in Columbia?
About heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, SC
Entry-level heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K.Top earners bring in $76K or more - a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $65K | +13% | 3,240 |
| New Jersey | $65K | +13% | 49,450 |
| Washington | $64K | +11% | 40,700 |
| District of Columbia | $64K | +11% | 830 |
| Oregon | $61K | +7% | 24,720 |
| Minnesota | $61K | +6% | 38,530 |
| Nevada | $61K | +6% | 17,430 |
| Massachusetts | $61K | +6% | 32,170 |
| New York | $61K | +5% | 61,410 |
| Wyoming | $60K | +5% | 6,530 |
| Indiana | $60K | +5% | 57,870 |
| California | $60K | +4% | 211,740 |
| Illinois | $60K | +4% | 76,650 |
| Rhode Island | $60K | +4% | 3,260 |
| Utah | $60K | +4% | 24,280 |
Track heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers make in Columbia, SC?
The median is $52,730 a year - that works out to about $25.35 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,580, and experienced heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers can clear $76,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,555/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,276/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 93.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers salary is worth about $56,299 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.