Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Salary in Joplin, MO
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median $47,430 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,998 take-home, or $3,250 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in Joplin, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,512
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,941
- Medicare (1.45%)$688
- Missouri income tax$1,292
- Take-home pay$38,998
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The Joplin, MO-KS metro spans Missouri, Kansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver pay by experience in Joplin, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,350 | $18.92 | $32,886 | $2,740 |
| 25th percentile | $46,020 | $22.13 | $37,931 | $3,161 |
| Median (50th) | $47,430 | $22.80 | $38,998 | $3,250 |
| 75th percentile | $60,740 | $29.20 | $49,067 | $4,089 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,000 | $34.62 | $57,035 | $4,753 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,430 buys in Joplin, MO
Prices in Joplin, MO are 14.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 46% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver's $38,998 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,496 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Joplin, MO has 3.0× 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
Joplin, MO ranks #111 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 |
| 111 | Joplin, MO | $47,430 | $38,998 | $45,496 |
*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 Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $60,170
- Springfield, MO — $56,070
- St. Louis, MO — $58,240
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver make in Joplin, MO?
The median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $47,430 a year, or about $22.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,020 and $60,740.
What is a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver’s take-home pay in Joplin, MO?
On the median $47,430 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $38,998 a year ($3,250 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,292 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Joplin, MO a good place to work as a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $58,640. Local prices are 14.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,496 would in a typical U.S. city. Joplin, MO ranks #111 of 134 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver afford rent in Joplin, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Joplin, MO is $756 a month ($940 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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