Georgia CDL Truck Driver Salary Information
Georgia is a great state for getting your commercial driver’s license because there’s an abundance of truck driving training. There are about 72 truck driving programs in the state and many of them take place in dedicated truck driving training centers.
Earning your CDL is also affordable in Georgia. The average cost is about $2,400. Many of these programs are eligible for financial aid, so you might be able to get loans, grants, or scholarships to help cover the cost of your schooling.
There are already more than 56,000 truck drivers in Georgia. The average salary for the state is $40,870 and an average hourly rate of $19.65. Bordering Georgia are five states: Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida so you have plenty of opportunity to drive the southeast and enjoy the weather. These days trucking companies provide extras like signing bonuses, benefits, 401K, paid days off, and more to entice drivers because there is a shortage of good drivers. The projected increase for truck driver jobs in Georgia is 9%, which is 50% higher than the 6% projected for the U.S. as a whole.
Georgia’s most populated cities are Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, and Athens. In these cities and others you will notice a fluctuation in median salaries (SOURCE):
- $40,150 GA
- $44,210 Savannah
- $43,070 Gainesville
- $42,580 Columbus
- $41,620 Atlanta
The difference from cities within the state of Georgia show how so many different factors can influence average salaries greatly. And when you take into account cost of living and other factors, that can sway your ultimate take home pay even more.
Trucking Companies With A Presence In Georgia To Consider
There are so many trucking companies around the country that you can start to feel overwhelmed trying to compare them all. Following are some of the top US trucking companies that take care of their drivers.
Costco and Wal-Mart
Some drivers forget that trucking jobs aren’t only at truck driving companies. Retail companies rely on truck drivers to move their products. Retailers like Costco and Wal-Mart are consistently listed among the top 50 truck driving companies in the country.
Costco is very popular in the trucking industry because they have extremely competitive benefits, a fair pay structure, and they want to hire quality drivers. The only drawback? If you’re new it may take awhile. Costco only hires Class A drivers with a minimum of five years’ experience.
FedEx and UPS
Shipping companies are another source of stable employment. FedEx is consistently ranked in the top 100 as a great company to work for and they get high marks from their employees, too. UPS is the single largest package delivery company in the world. These jobs require drivers to stick to a strict delivery schedule meaning you need to enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and know how to budget your time.
National Companies
- J.B. Hunt employees say the company offers a positive workplace culture and strong workplace values.
- Old Dominion Freight Line employees give high marks to this company because of the variety of hauls and schedules available.
- Schneider is reliable and has more than 80 years of industry experience. The company owns other trucking firms and has a strong internal training network for new drivers.
Before you choose a position at any company, determine what’s important to you in your career and find a company that meets your needs.
Georgia CDL License Information and Insights
To get your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Georgia, you can transfer your current commercial license from out of state or apply for a learner’s permit. All applicants must complete an application and pay the fees. First-time commercial drivers must pass a written knowledge test and driving skills tests. If you’re moving to Georgia from another state, you have 30 days to transfer your CDL to the state of Georgia.
What You Need To Get Started
A Georgia CDL manual, which is available online or at any Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office. Study it.
Personal documents. You must present original forms of the following documents to prove your identity and your residence in Georgia.
- A current driver’s license, identification card, or your commercial driver’s license from another state.
- A Social Security Card or a document from the Social Security Administration that states you aren’t eligible to receive an SSN due to alien status.
- Two items that prove you are a resident of Georgia. Acceptable documents include a lease or rental contract, utility bills, or bank statements issued within the last 60 days, or a pay stub that shows your name and address.
- Proof of identity such as your birth certificate, passport, military identification card, marriage license, or immigration identification card.
Take the above documents to any Department of Driver Services office location, pay the necessary fees, and take the written knowledge test. After you pass the knowledge test you’ll receive your CDL permit.
Schedule a driving skills test that will evaluate your knowledge about inspecting your commercial vehicle, your knowledge on using the controls on your vehicle, and your ability to drive and maneuver your vehicle on the road (SOURCE).
Trucking Schools in Georgia
Choosing a truck driving school will have you considering many factors; The cost, the program length, the location, behind-the-wheel training, instructor-to-student ratios, and job placement assistance. The costs in Georgia are in the range of $2500 to $4500.
The program length depends your choice in full time or part time training. CDL schooling can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months depending on what you choose. Location is important. There are usually a good choice of schools in more populated areas or major cities. If you live in a rural area, you may be able to find a nearby school, or you may have to travel a little further to obtain your CDL training.
There is a plethora of truck driving schools in Georgia which we’ve broken down by some of the more populated cities in Georgia:
Available Trucking Schools in Georgia
Atlanta
- Atlanta Technical College
Augusta
- CSRA Transportation LLC
- Miller-Motte CDL Training
Columbus
- Georgia Driving Academy
- Miller-Motte CDL Training
Savannah
- Savannah Technical College
Behind-the-wheel training time is one of the most important aspects of your training. Choose a school that offers comprehensive training and allows you to get behind the wheel of a semi-truck and drive! Job placement assistance is a huge benefit and can give one school the upper hand over another if they don’t provide this service. Getting a good paying job with a great company is the goal, and if the school can facilitate that in any way, that is a big plus.
Georgia Trucking In the News
Steve Owings is the co-founder of Road Safe America. He and his wife founded the Atlanta-based non-profit organization to promote road safety after their son was killed in an accident with a speeding truck.
So when The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a notice 10 years after Road Safe America filed their original petition, Steve and his wife were outraged when they found out these agencies will apply the proposed rule of setting speed governors but ONLY to large trucks manufactured in the future. Huh??? Owings said truck manufacturers have been putting the technology into their vehicles for decades but drivers haven’t been required to use it.
“It’s as if the government looked and discovered that seat belts saves lives so they required everyone to wear them but only in the future,” Owings said in an interview. “Obviously the government should require these big-rigs that already have the capability to use it.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, a trade group representing small-business truckers, isn’t as keen on this ruling as Road Safe America however. They said the rule would limit a truck’s ability to keep up with traffic, which could be dangerous, and that sometimes truckers need to speed up to avoid certain obstacles. Drivers are not in favor of it either knowing that most of the time it’s other vehicles that usually cause the accident.
In the meantime statistics for fatal truck crashes continue to rise (SOURCE).
Address:
12195 HIGHWAY 92 SUITE 114-109
30188
Business Phone Number: (678) 677-3516
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5595 TUNBRIDGE WELLS RD
30058-5679
Business Phone Number: (770) 871-1537
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5705 REINHART COLLEGE PKWY
30183
Business Phone Number: (770) 314-2055
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
923 ELK STREET
30720
Business Phone Number: (706) 226-9171
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
102 CRSBY ROAD
31510
Business Phone Number: (912) 632-9613
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
375 ROCKBRIDGE RD NW STE 172 PMB 109
30047
Business Phone Number: (770) 416-1922
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2282 DEFOOR HILLS RD NW
30318
Business Phone Number: (770) 333-8100
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2282 DEFOOR HILLS RD NW
30318
Business Phone Number: (770) 333-8100
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
6961 PEACHTREE INDUSTRAIL BLVD STE 205
30092
Business Phone Number: (877) 982-5329
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
6961 PEACHTREE INDUSTRAIL BLVD STE 205
30092
Business Phone Number: (877) 982-5329
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3743 HIGHWAY 27 NORTH
30179
Business Phone Number: (770) 830-7433
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5300 MEMORIAL DR STE 128
30083
Business Phone Number: (404) 787-4846
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
106 STATEN ST
31510
Business Phone Number: (912) 632-0149
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5514 ELDERS RIDGE DR
30542
Business Phone Number: (770) 965-1752
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
111 US HWY 80 SE
31322
Business Phone Number: (912) 988-3063
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
730 TOLBERT STREET
30040
Business Phone Number: (770) 614-3763
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
616 NORTH MAIN ST
30143
Business Phone Number: (678) 454-3791
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4194 NE EXPRESSWAY
30340
Business Phone Number: (866) 866-8464
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
118 PARK WEST DR
30253
Business Phone Number: (770) 692-5331
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
522 SOUTHLAND TRAIL
31008
Business Phone Number: (478) 112-1234
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
124 HUTCHESON STREET
30453
Business Phone Number: (404) 844-8713
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
935 HWY 124 SUITE 206
30517-3484
Business Phone Number: (770) 296-1215
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
935 HWY 124 SUITE 206
30517-3484
Business Phone Number: (770) 296-1215
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3048 HWY 101 N
30153
Business Phone Number: (404) 391-6844
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
124 SOUTH MAIN ST SUTIE 2F
30236
Business Phone Number: (770) 912-2750
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
689 JEFFERSON HWY
30680
Business Phone Number: (770) 868-8609
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1139 OLD NORMANTOWN RD
30436
Business Phone Number: (912) 245-8600
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4145 OLD DAHLONEGA HIGHWAY
30533
Business Phone Number: (706) 429-2035
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
250 GLENN BRYANT
31313
Business Phone Number: (912) 507-4035
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
401 JACK WALKER ROAD
30533
Business Phone Number: (678) 642-5432
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
401 JACK WALKER ROAD
30533
Business Phone Number: (678) 642-5432
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4060 HERSCHEL ROAD
30337
Business Phone Number: (215) 240-9575
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2596 JEREMIAH INDUSTRIAL WAY SW
30012
Business Phone Number: (770) 483-1289
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
10 LOTUS LANE
30016
Business Phone Number: (917) 716-2822
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2 WATER VIEW DR
30518
Business Phone Number: (201) 398-9884
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1630 WILLINGHAM AVE
30511
Business Phone Number: (706) 778-7656
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2051 STONERIDGE LN
30078
Business Phone Number: (404) 201-1442
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1210 WALLS RD
31087
Business Phone Number: (404) 683-7380
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
111 CAMDEN RD
30223
Business Phone Number: (404) 557-0982
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
611 HWY 74 S
30269
Business Phone Number: (770) 631-2937
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5960 HIGHWAY 17 NORTH
30523
Business Phone Number: (706) 754-4396
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5960 HIGHWAY 17 NORTH
30523
Business Phone Number: (706) 754-4396
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1876 BONEVILLE CIRCLE
30806
Business Phone Number: (706) 595-7976
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1063 BROCK ROAD
30153
Business Phone Number: (770) 652-4965
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
53 DOLPHIN DR
30121
Business Phone Number: (770) 882-7701
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
510 RED BONE RIDGE RD
30734
Business Phone Number: (678) 895-8235
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
636 PAT WHATLEY RD
39842
Business Phone Number: (229) 995-5709
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3619 LEXINGTON DR
30906
Business Phone Number: (706) 305-7350
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
523 WILDWOOD GLEN
30083
Business Phone Number: (786) 241-0250
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1014 YOUNGS ISLAND RD NW
31331
Business Phone Number: (912) 332-3830
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4644 HWY 34 E
30277
Business Phone Number: (404) 838-9133
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
853 CENTER STREET NE
39842
Business Phone Number: (229) 255-1970
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2890 GA HWY 212 STE A-209
30094
Business Phone Number: (404) 609-8999
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2890 GA HWY 212 STE A-209
30094
Business Phone Number: (404) 609-8999
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5251 WOODROW LANE
31632
Business Phone Number: (229) 794-1154
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3535 PLEASANTDALE ROAD
30340
Business Phone Number: (770) 608-7129
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3884 TROTTER RD
30506
Business Phone Number: (678) 316-9696
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4050 HILL STATION CT
30518
Business Phone Number: (770) 865-5918
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
370 ALDRIDGE AVE
30079
Business Phone Number: (770) 925-0998
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
454 VICTORIA RD
30189
Business Phone Number: (770) 789-7105
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1181 LEE STREET SUITE B
30310
Business Phone Number: (404) 290-4807
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
630 HWY 314 SUITE 1011
30214
Business Phone Number: (770) 460-9972
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
8210 CHAPMAN TERRACE
30252
Business Phone Number: (404) 707-1329
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
8210 CHAPMAN TERRACE
30252
Business Phone Number: (404) 707-1329
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
6971 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD SUITE 202
30092
Business Phone Number: (770) 903-3990
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
343 KINGS CROSSING CT
30153
Business Phone Number: (470) 564-9405
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
715 AMBUR COVE WAY
30043
Business Phone Number: (404) 389-7197
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
715 AMBUR COVE WAY
30043
Business Phone Number: (404) 389-7197
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3731 NORTHCREST RD SUITE # 10
30340
Business Phone Number: (404) 389-7197
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3731 NORTHCREST RD SUITE # 10
30340
Business Phone Number: (404) 389-7197
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1180 ESSEX RD
30677
Business Phone Number: (706) 310-0295
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3100 ROCKMART RD
30161
Business Phone Number: (770) 905-7851
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9529 MOREY HILL RD
31744
Business Phone Number: (229) 787-5556
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9529 MOREY HILL RD
31744
Business Phone Number: (229) 787-5556
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5193 OLIVIA TRL
30088
Business Phone Number: (404) 993-4082
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4748 SCORE CT
30039
Business Phone Number: (404) 735-5278
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5250A FULTON INDUSTRIAL BLVD SW
30336
Business Phone Number: (404) 691-6033
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3202 DIAMOND BLUFF
30291
Business Phone Number: (770) 780-0000
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1812 RIVER CREST WAY
30045
Business Phone Number: (678) 467-5890
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1812 RIVER CREST WAY
30045
Business Phone Number: (678) 467-5890
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1001 BAY GALL RD
30425
Business Phone Number: (912) 865-2636
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
135 FAIRWAY TRAIL
30014
Business Phone Number: (678) 625-0363
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1010 HUNTCLIFF SUITE 2110
30350
Business Phone Number: (770) 518-2466
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3208 CHULIO RD
30161
Business Phone Number: (706) 235-9051
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1303 ATHENS RD
30630
Business Phone Number: (917) 443-5427
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
407 CHERRY STREET
31302
Business Phone Number: (517) 507-0612
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
293 ANSLEY BROOK DR
30044
Business Phone Number: (678) 575-1571
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
509 MICHAEL CIRCLE
30655
Business Phone Number: (678) 758-5073
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9104 CECELIA ST SW
30014
Business Phone Number: (678) 760-4845
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9104 CECELIA ST SW
30014
Business Phone Number: (678) 760-4845
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
716 HERITAGE RIDGE RD
30655
Business Phone Number: (770) 267-1122
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
244 MCKEES ROCK LANE
30044
Business Phone Number: (770) 978-6973
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1397 CEDAR GROVE ROAD
30288
Business Phone Number: (678) 764-8060
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1397 CEDAR GROVE ROAD
30288
Business Phone Number: (678) 764-8060
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3931 OAK HARBOUR DR
30506
Business Phone Number: (770) 287-3881
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
607 NORTH ASHLEY ST
31601
Business Phone Number: (229) 249-9978
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
607 NORTH ASHLEY ST
31601
Business Phone Number: (229) 249-9978
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1699 LITTON DR
30083
Business Phone Number: (404) 475-2532
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1130 DONALD LEE HOLLOWELL PKWY NE
30318
Business Phone Number: (404) 668-0677
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
221 HERITAGE WAY
30011-3040
Business Phone Number: (770) 867-1372
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers: