Average Truck Driver Salary in Detroit, MI

The average Truck Driver in Detroit, MI earns $54,330 per year. See how this compares to the national average and what it means for your budget.

Average Salary
$54330
Median Salary
$53770
vs. National
3.0% below
Real Pay (COL-adjusted)
$54169

“Real pay” adjusts the average for Detroit’s cost of living (Regional Price Parity 100.298, U.S. average = 100) — what this salary is worth in national-average dollars.

What Truck Drivers actually earn in Detroit

The spread from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th), from BLS wage data.

10th (entry) $36250
25th $46250
Median $53770
75th $61540
90th (top) $70500

26060 Truck Drivers employed in the Detroit metro.

Can a Truck Driver afford a home in Detroit?

Max home price under the 28% rule (housing ≤ 28% of gross), 10% down, 6.7% 30-yr rate. Median Detroit home: $76800.

Earnings levelSalaryMax homeMedian home?
Entry (10th)$36250$145645Yes
Median$53770$216037Yes
Top (90th)$70500$283254Yes

What’s this salary worth in another city?

What you earn (or want to compare)

Take-home pay for a Truck Driver in Detroit

Estimated pay after federal, FICA, and MI state taxes (2026). Prefilled with the local average — adjust for your situation.

Estimate only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, federal + FICA + state (single or married filing jointly). Excludes local/city income taxes (e.g., NYC, Philadelphia) and individual credits. See our methodology.

Detroit at a glance

Population636644
Median household income$39575
Median home value$76800
Median rent$1034/mo
Cost of living (RPP, U.S.=100)100.298
Bachelor’s degree or higher10.5%
Poverty rate31%

In Detroit, MI, Truck Drivers earn a median of $53,770 a year — about 4% below the U.S. median of $55,990. Among the 50 metros tracked here for this role, that ranks #32.

What that pay is worth in Detroit

Local prices run 100 on the BEA cost-of-living index (U.S. = 100), so a $54,330 salary is about break-even with the national average ($54,169 adjusted).

Can Truck Drivers afford a home in Detroit?

A typical Detroit home runs about $76,800 — 1.4 times the average Truck Driver salary, very affordable against the classic 3x rule of thumb. Median rent near $1,034/mo takes roughly 23% of gross pay — within the 30% comfort line.

The Truck Driver pay ladder in Detroit

Entry-level (10th percentile) Truck Drivers earn about $36,250; the top 10% reach $70,500 — a $34,250 spread, moderate for this field. Most of that gap comes down to experience, employer, and how hard you negotiate.

The Truck Driver job market in Detroit

Detroit employs roughly 26,060 Truck Drivers. It’s a sizable local market to build a career in.

Compare Detroit with other cities

See the full Truck Driver salary by city ranking to weigh Detroit against the other metros on both pay and cost-adjusted value, or use the cost-of-living calculator to compare any two cities directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Truck Drivers make in Detroit?

The average Truck Driver in Detroit, MI earns about $54,330 per year, 3.0% below the national average of $55,990.

What is the take-home pay for Truck Drivers in Detroit after taxes?

After federal and MI taxes, this $54,330 salary is worth about $43,525 a year - roughly $3,627 a month in take-home pay, an effective tax rate near 20%.

What do the highest-paid Truck Drivers earn in Detroit?

The top 10% of Truck Drivers in Detroit earn about $70,500 a year, versus about $36,250 for the bottom 10%.

Can Truck Drivers afford a home in Detroit?

A typical Detroit home runs about $76,800 - roughly 1.4x this salary, within reach by the classic 3x rule of thumb.