Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Salary in Lakeland, FL
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $57,090 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,052 take-home, or $4,004 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,671
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,540
- Medicare (1.45%)$828
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$48,052
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,560 | $19.02 | $33,966 | $2,831 |
| 25th percentile | $47,430 | $22.80 | $40,290 | $3,358 |
| Median (50th) | $57,090 | $27.45 | $48,052 | $4,004 |
| 75th percentile | $64,230 | $30.88 | $53,789 | $4,482 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,990 | $38.94 | $65,806 | $5,484 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,090 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver's $48,052 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,466 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lakeland, FL has 2.2× the national concentration of heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #51 of 134 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln, NE | $81,790 | $63,527 | $69,367 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $63,070 | $52,857 | $57,341 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $60,820 | $51,049 | $56,326 |
| 4 | Iowa City, IA | $61,960 | $50,262 | $54,926 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $60,410 | $49,841 | $54,497 |
| 6 | Fargo, ND | $58,900 | $49,506 | $54,480 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,900 | $47,920 | $53,865 |
| 8 | Youngstown, OH | $56,810 | $47,047 | $53,833 |
| 51 | Lakeland, FL | $57,090 | $48,052 | $49,466 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 134 metros →
About the job: heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.8% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Jacksonville, FL — $55,630
- Tampa, FL — $50,560
- North Port, FL — $50,890
- Orlando, FL — $50,250
- Cape Coral, FL — $48,950
- Miami, FL — $51,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver make in Lakeland, FL?
The median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $57,090 a year, or about $27.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,430 and $64,230.
What is a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $57,090 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $48,052 a year ($4,004 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $58,640. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,466 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #51 of 134 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lakeland, FL
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $48,290
- Light Truck Driver — $46,010
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $42,800
- Stocker and Order Filler — $39,690
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $32,680