Experience

• The amount of time CDL truck drivers worked in the field affected their average annual salaries as of November 2010, according to Payscale. With one to four years of experience, drivers earned an average of $29,481 to $46,522 per year. Those with 10 to 19 years of experience averaged $35,502 to $57,931 annually. After working in the field for 20 or more years, CDL truck drivers made an average of $36,585 to $60,467.
  
  

Industry

• The type of employer a CDL truck driver worked for affected her average annual salary as of May 2009. The largest employers of CDL truck drivers, general and specialized freight trucking companies, paid an average of $41,010 and $38,870 annually, respectively. Drivers employed by the U.S. Postal Service enjoyed the highest average annual salaries at $53,020. Courier and express delivery services featured average salaries of $51,640 per year for drivers. Those working for grocery wholesalers made an average of $42,580 per year.
  
  

Education and License Type

• The type of education and the category of license a CDL truck driver held also impacted his average annual salary as of November 2010, reports Payscale. Drivers with high school diplomas earned an average of $13.07 to $18.11 per hour, or $27,185 to $37,668 annually, based on a 40-hour workweek. Those with GEDs made $27,248 to $35,360 annually. Drivers with a Class A CDL that enables them to drive vehicles that weigh more than 26,001 pounds and tow more than 10,000 pounds earned an average of $24,523 to $38,584. With a Class B license, drivers can operate a vehicle that weighs more than 26,001 pounds but tows less than 10,000 pounds; this type of CDL driver earned an average of $27,331 to $37,377 per year.
  
  

Geography

• Salary rates for CDL truck drivers varied based on geographic location as of May 2009, according to the BLS. Nebraska featured the highest concentration of drivers; professionals based in the state received an average of $43,450 per year. Drivers in Alaska earned the highest average annual salaries at $49,480. Other high-paying states and territories for CDL drivers in terms of average annual salaries included Connecticut at $43,960, the District of Columbia and New York at $44,010 and Nevada at $45,700.