CDL TRUCK DRIVER
Moves freight. Fastest path to a livable wage of any trade — 4 to 8 weeks of training, then hired. Missouri is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.
The License.
Check with Missouri directly — licensing for cdl truck drivervaries by municipality in this state. There is no single state board that we can point to with confidence for this trade. Contact your local city or county building department, or check the state labor department's website.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in Missouri. BLS metro-level data was not available for this combination. National medians shown below.
| Stage | Hourly range | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $18–$24/hr | $36,000 – $48,000 |
| Journeyman scale | $25–$40/hr | $50,000 – $80,000 |
| BLS national median | — | $54,320 |
| BLS top 10% | — | $76,790 |
Missouri is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in Missouri's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.
The Path.
In Missouri, apprenticeships are administered through the federal RAPIDS system via the U.S. Department of Labor. To find registered programs, go to apprenticeship.gov and filter by state. Most joint apprenticeship training committees (JATCs) also accept direct applications.
- · Teamsters
The Exam.
Commercial driver licensing (CDL) is federally standardized — FMCSA rules apply in all states. State-level endorsements (school bus, hazmat) have additional testing requirements through Missouri DMV. Prevailing wage requirements in Missouri apply to most public-sector projects, which ties exam and licensure to wage scale compliance for contractors.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Recruiter pay claims are aggressive. CPM (cents per mile) math rarely matches advertised salaries.
- 02Company-sponsored CDL schools usually require a 1-year contract with steep early-termination penalties.
- 03Owner-operator path looks attractive on paper but is brutal on margins.
- 04Health outcomes for long-haul drivers are documented as poor — diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiovascular issues.