Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Salary in Richmond, VA
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $58,190 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,404 take-home, or $3,867 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,803
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,608
- Medicare (1.45%)$844
- Virginia income tax$2,532
- Take-home pay$46,404
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% 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 Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,190 | $17.88 | $30,738 | $2,561 |
| 25th percentile | $46,850 | $22.52 | $37,944 | $3,162 |
| Median (50th) | $58,190 | $27.98 | $46,404 | $3,867 |
| 75th percentile | $71,460 | $34.36 | $55,807 | $4,651 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,450 | $45.41 | $70,659 | $5,888 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $58,190 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver's $46,404 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,420 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Richmond, VA has 1.3× 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
Richmond, VA ranks #85 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 |
| 85 | Richmond, VA | $58,190 | $46,404 | $47,420 |
*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 Virginia
- Roanoke, VA — $56,430
- Virginia Beach, VA — $50,460
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver make in Richmond, VA?
The median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $58,190 a year, or about $27.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,850 and $71,460.
What is a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $58,190 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $46,404 a year ($3,867 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,532 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $58,640. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,420 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #85 of 134 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.