Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Salary in Lincoln, NE
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median $81,790 a year — 39% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,527 take-home, or $5,294 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in Lincoln, NE. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,164
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,071
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,186
- Nebraska income tax$2,842
- Take-home pay$63,527
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.55% 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 Lincoln, NE
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,950 | $23.05 | $39,406 | $3,284 |
| 25th percentile | $60,280 | $28.98 | $48,752 | $4,063 |
| Median (50th) | $81,790 | $39.32 | $63,527 | $5,294 |
| 75th percentile | $81,790 | $39.32 | $63,527 | $5,294 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,790 | $39.32 | $63,527 | $5,294 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nebraska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,790 buys in Lincoln, NE
Prices in Lincoln, NE are 8.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver's $63,527 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,367 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lincoln, NE has 1.9× 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
Lincoln, NE ranks #1 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 |
*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 Nebraska
- Omaha, NE — $58,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver make in Lincoln, NE?
The median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $81,790 a year, or about $39.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,280 and $81,790.
What is a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver’s take-home pay in Lincoln, NE?
On the median $81,790 salary, a single filer living in Nebraska takes home about $63,527 a year ($5,294 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,842 in Nebraska taxes in 2026.
Is Lincoln, NE a good place to work as a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver?
Pay here is 39% above the national median of $58,640. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,367 would in a typical U.S. city. Lincoln, NE ranks #1 of 134 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver afford rent in Lincoln, NE?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lincoln, NE is $917 a month ($1,132 for two bedrooms) — 17% 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 Lincoln, NE
- Stocker and Order Filler — $35,820