Find accredited CDL training programs near you
$49,920
Avg. Salary
6%
Job Growth
3-8 weeks
Program Length
320
Schools Listed
CDL (Commercial Driver's License) training prepares you for a career as a professional truck, bus, or commercial vehicle driver. Programs are short (3-8 weeks for full Class A), demand is consistently high, and starting pay is one of the strongest in any field that requires no prior college.
CDL careers suit people who like independence, don't mind being away from home (for OTR work), and want a fast path to a paying career. Local and regional routes offer better home time but typically lower pay than long-haul.
OTR drivers run multi-day routes with 11-hour driving days, sleeping in the truck. Regional drivers may be home weekly. Local drivers (intermodal, delivery, dump trucks) are home daily. Day-to-day involves pre-trip inspections, log keeping, and managing your hours under FMCSA rules.
Earning certifications like Class A CDL and Class B CDL can increase your employability and qualify you for higher-paying positions. Many CDL training programs include certification prep as part of the curriculum.
CDL is not one job β it's a family of related roles. Choosing a specialization early can shape your training, certifications, and earning ceiling.
Long-haul. Highest miles, away from home most weeks.
Multi-state routes, home weekly. Good entry-level balance.
Home daily. Lower pay but better lifestyle.
Endorsements that add $0.05-$0.15/mile.
Oversize loads, owner-operator path. Top earners.
Local hiring conditions matter more than national averages. These states currently have the strongest combination of employer demand, training infrastructure, and pay.
Largest trucking market and freight corridor in the U.S.
Port of Savannah and Atlanta logistics hub
Memphis (FedEx) and Nashville freight volume
Port of LA/Long Beach demands constant drayage
I-80/I-78/I-95 freight crossroads
$49,920
National median salary
6%
10-year job growth
3-8 weeks
Typical training length
Realistic pay range
$50,000β$95,000
Entry to experienced
Training cost range
$3,000β$8,000
Public to private programs
5700 Southern Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
$5,000
6 weeks
View Details β170 Franklin Smith Rd, Moulton, AL 35650
$3,500
3 weeks
View Details β2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829
$6,000
12 months
View Details β1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, NC 27253
$5,056
2 years
View Details β843 4th Street, Kotzebue, AK 99752
$8,217
9 months
View Details β809 Second Ave, Seward, AK 99664
$4,929
9 months
View Details βShowing 6 of 320 schools. Select a state in the sidebar to view all schools in your area.
Class A CDL programs typically run 3-8 weeks full-time. Class B (straight truck, bus) is shorter. Since Feb 2022, all new CDL applicants must complete ELDT-compliant training from an FMCSA-registered provider.
$3,000-$8,000 is typical. Many large carriers (Schneider, Werner, Prime) sponsor training in exchange for a 12-18 month employment commitment. Some community colleges run it under $4,000 with state workforce funding.
New OTR drivers earn $50,000-$65,000 in year one. Experienced solo drivers earn $70,000-$95,000. Specialty hauls (tanker, hazmat, heavy haul) earn $90,000-$130,000+. Owner-operators have higher ceilings but bear all expenses.