How Much Do Hazmat Truck Drivers Make In 2025: Complete Guide

“For the good old American life – For the money, for the glory, and for the fun…mostly for the money.” – Bandit,Smokey and the Bandit.

This iconic quote, beloved among truckers, perfectly captures how to not just keep going but alsokeep growing. How? By adding ahazmat endorsement to your CDL.

Every year, over three billion tons ofhazardous materials are shipped across the United States. If you’re wonderinghow much hazmat drivers make, here’s the good news: hazmat loads typically pay higher rates than regular freight, making this specialization a lucrative opportunity for truck drivers.

AtFortune Carriers Inc., one of the nation’s best hazmat trucking companies, we’ve compiled a comprehensive, data-drivenguide to hazmat driver salaries in 2025. We analyzed official salary figures, explored key factors that influence pay, and provided detailed state-by-state comparisons to help you understand your earning potential.

So, are you ready to elevate your trucking career to the next level? If yes, let’s go!

What Is a Hazmat Truck Driver?

Ahazmat truck driver is a commercial truck driver who is authorized to transport hazardous materials (hazmat) – dangerous goods that pose risks to health, safety, or the environment. These materials can include chemicals, fuels, gases, explosives, and other regulated items. Because of the dangers involved, hazmat drivers must obtain a special endorsement (the “H” or “X” endorsement) on their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and adhere tostrict federal hazardous materials regulations at all times.

How Much Do Hazmat Drivers Make in 2025?

National Average Hazmat Driver Salary

As of June 2025, the average hourly pay for aCDL Class A Hazmat Truck Driver in the United States is as follows, with many factors influencing these figures:

• Salary.com places the average hazmat truck driver salary at$64,878/year, equivalent to$31 per hour.
• Glassdoor reports a total median compensation of$69,033/year.
• Jooble surveys peg both hazmat and hazmat tanker roles near$67,844/year or$33.79 per hour.
• VelvetJobs suggests average hazmat driver pay is$59,800/year or about$22 per hour.

Hazmat Driver Salary by State (2025)

For your convenience we made a comparison table showing estimated salary ranges for non-hazmat truck drivers, hazmat drivers, hazmat tanker drivers, and X endorsement drivers in each of the 48 contiguous states. Figures are based on available national averages and regional adjustments.

State	Truck Driver ($)	Hazmat Driver ($)	Hazmat Tanker Driver ($)	X Endorsement Driver ($)
Alabama	42,000-64,000	46,000-72,000	56,000-110,000	60,000-120,000
Alaska	55,000-78,000	60,000-90,000	70,000-130,000	75,000-140,000
Arizona	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
Arkansas	41,000-62,000	45,000-70,000	55,000-108,000	59,000-118,000
California	50,000-80,000	55,000-95,000	70,000-140,000	75,000-150,000
Colorado	45,000-68,000	49,000-76,000	59,000-114,000	63,000-124,000
Connecticut	48,000-72,000	52,000-80,000	62,000-120,000	66,000-130,000
Delaware	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000
Florida	43,000-65,000	47,000-73,000	57,000-110,000	61,000-120,000
Georgia	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
Idaho	42,000-64,000	46,000-72,000	56,000-110,000	60,000-120,000
Illinois	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000
Indiana	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
Iowa	43,000-65,000	47,000-73,000	57,000-110,000	61,000-120,000
Kansas	42,000-64,000	46,000-72,000	56,000-110,000	60,000-120,000
Kentucky	43,000-65,000	47,000-73,000	57,000-110,000	61,000-120,000
Louisiana	45,000-68,000	49,000-76,000	59,000-114,000	63,000-124,000
Maine	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
Maryland	48,000-72,000	52,000-80,000	62,000-120,000	66,000-130,000
Massachusetts	50,000-80,000	55,000-95,000	70,000-140,000	75,000-150,000
Michigan	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000
Minnesota	45,000-68,000	49,000-76,000	59,000-114,000	63,000-124,000
Mississippi	41,000-62,000	45,000-70,000	55,000-108,000	59,000-118,000
Missouri	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
Montana	42,000-64,000	46,000-72,000	56,000-110,000	60,000-120,000
Nebraska	43,000-65,000	47,000-73,000	57,000-110,000	61,000-120,000
Nevada	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000
New Hampshire	45,000-68,000	49,000-76,000	59,000-114,000	63,000-124,000
New Jersey	50,000-80,000	55,000-95,000	70,000-140,000	75,000-150,000
New Mexico	43,000-65,000	47,000-73,000	57,000-110,000	61,000-120,000
New York	50,000-80,000	55,000-95,000	70,000-140,000	75,000-150,000
North Carolina	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
North Dakota	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000
Ohio	45,000-68,000	49,000-76,000	59,000-114,000	63,000-124,000
Oklahoma	42,000-64,000	46,000-72,000	56,000-110,000	60,000-120,000
Oregon	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000
Pennsylvania	48,000-72,000	52,000-80,000	62,000-120,000	66,000-130,000
Rhode Island	48,000-72,000	52,000-80,000	62,000-120,000	66,000-130,000
South Carolina	43,000-65,000	47,000-73,000	57,000-110,000	61,000-120,000
South Dakota	41,000-62,000	45,000-70,000	55,000-108,000	59,000-118,000
Tennessee	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
Texas	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000
Utah	44,000-66,000	48,000-74,000	58,000-112,000	62,000-122,000
Vermont	45,000-68,000	49,000-76,000	59,000-114,000	63,000-124,000
Virginia	48,000-72,000	52,000-80,000	62,000-120,000	66,000-130,000
Washington	50,000-80,000	55,000-95,000	70,000-140,000	75,000-150,000
West Virginia	42,000-64,000	46,000-72,000	56,000-110,000	60,000-120,000
Wisconsin	45,000-68,000	49,000-76,000	59,000-114,000	63,000-124,000
Wyoming	46,000-70,000	50,000-78,000	60,000-116,000	64,000-126,000

Note:To get a more accurate understanding of salaries in a specific region, you can consult job boards like ZipRecruiter and Indeed and filter by location. You can also research state-specific data from organizations like theBureau of Labor Statistics (.gov).

Factors That Affect Hazmat Driver Pay

While the national averages are helpful, the actual hazmat drivers salary can vary significantly depending on several key factors.

Experience Level

Like most professions, experience plays a crucial role in determining pay:

• Entry-Level Hazmat Drivers: New hazmat drivers can expect starting salaries ranging from$45,000 to $57,000 annually, depending on their location and the specific company they join.
• Experienced Hazmat Drivers: Seasoned professionals with extensive experience can earn between$80,000 to $120,000 per year, particularly those working in specialized niches or high-demand markets.
• Top-Tier Specialists: Drivers specializing in extremely hazardous materials like explosives can earn salaries ranging from $90,000 to $135,000 ormore annually.

Type of Hazmat Freight

The type of hazardous materials makes a difference. Drivers hauling high-risk materials (like explosives or radioactive substances) typically earn more than those transporting less dangerous goods.

In the table below, you will find the estimated range of  average annual salary for hazmat truck drivers hauling different classes of hazardous materials in 2025, based onindustry sources:

Hazardous Material Class	Average Annual Salary Range (USD)	Commonly Transported Goods
Explosives (Class 1)	$70,000 – $120,000	Ammunition/cartridges • Fireworks/pyrotechnics • Flares • Blasting caps / detonators • Fuse • Primers • Explosive charges (blasting, demolition etc.) • Detonating cord • Air bag inflators • Igniters • Rockets • TNT / TNT compositions • RDX / RDX compositions • PETN / PETN compositions
Gases (Class 2)	$60,000 – $100,000	Aerosols • Compressed air • Hydrocarbon gas-powered devices • Fire extinguishers • Gas cartridges • Fertilizer ammoniating solutions • Insecticide gases • Refrigerant gases • Lighters • Acetylene / Oxyacetylene • Carbon dioxide • Helium / helium compounds • Hydrogen / hydrogen compounds • Oxygen / oxygen compounds • Nitrogen / nitrogen compounds • Natural gas •Oil gas • Petroleum gases • Butane •Propane • Ethane •Methane • Dimethyl ether • Propene / propylene • Ethylene
Flammable Liquids (Class 3)	$60,000 – $110,000	Acetone / acetone oils • Adhesives • Paints / lacquers / varnishes • Alcohols • Perfumery products • Gasoline / Petrol • Diesel fuel • Aviation fuel • Liquid bio-fuels • Coal tar / coal tar distillates • Petroleum crude oil • Petroleum distillates • Gas oil • Shale oil • Heating oil • Kerosene • Resins • Tars • Turpentine • Carbamate insecticides • Organochlorine pesticides • Organophosphorus pesticides • Copper based pesticides • Esters • Ethers • Ethanol • Benzene • Butanols • Dichloropropenes • Diethyl ether • Isobutanols • Isopropyls • Methanol • Octanes
Flammable Solids (Class 4)	$55,000 – $90,000	Alkali metals • Metal powders • Aluminium phosphide • Sodium batteries • Sodium cells • Firelighters • Matches • Calcium carbide •Camphor • Carbon • Activated carbon • Celluloid • Cerium • Copra • Seed cake • Oily cotton waste • Desensitized explosives • Oily fabrics • Oily fibres • Ferrocerium • Iron oxide (spent) • Iron sponge/direct-reduced iron (spent) • Metaldehyde • Naphthalene • Nitrocellulose • Phosphorus • Sulphur
Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides (Class 5)	$60,000 – $100,000	Chemical oxygen generators • Ammonium nitrate fertilizers • Chlorates • Nitrates • Nitrites • Perchlorates • Permanganates • Persulphates • Aluminum nitrate • Ammonium dichromate • Ammonium nitrate • Ammonium persulphate • Calcium hypochlorite • Calcium nitrate • Calcium peroxide • Hydrogen peroxide • Magnesium peroxide • Lead nitrate • Lithium hypochlorite • Potassium chlorate • Potassium nitrate • Potassium chlorate • Potassium perchlorate • Potassium permanganate • Sodium nitrate • Sodium persulphate
Toxic and Infectious Substances (Class 6)	$55,000 – $95,000	Medical/Biomedical waste • Clinical waste • Biological cultures / samples / specimens• Medical cultures / samples / specimens • Tear gas substances • Motor fuel anti-knock mixture • Dyes • Carbamate pesticides • Alkaloids • Allyls • Acids • Arsenates • Cyanides • Thiols/mercaptans • Cresols • Barium compounds • Arsenics / arsenic compounds • Beryllium/ beryllium compounds • Lead compounds • Mercury compounds • Nicotine / nicotine compounds • Selenium compounds • Antimony • Ammonium metavanadate • Adiponitrile • Chloroform • Dichloromethane • Hexachlorophene • Phenol • Resorcinol
Radioactive Materials (Class 7)	$80,000 – $140,000	Radioactive ores • Medical isotopes • Yellowcake • Density gauges • Mixed fission products • Surface contaminated objects • Cesium radionuclides / isotopes • Iridium radionuclides / isotopes • Americium radionuclides / isotopes • Plutonium radionuclides / isotopes • Radium radionuclides / isotopes • Thorium radionuclides / isotopes • Uranium radionuclides / isotopes • Depleted uranium / depleted uranium products • Uranium hexafluoride • Enriched Uranium
Corrosives (Class 8)	$55,000 – $90,000	Acids/acid solutions • Batteries • Battery fluid • Fuel cell cartridges • Dyes • Fire extinguisher charges • Formaldehyde • Flux • Paints • Alkylphenols • Amines • Polyamines • Sulphides • Polysulphides • Chlorides • Chlorosilanes • Bromine • Cyclohexylamine • Phenol / carbolic acid • Hydrofluoric acid • Hydrochloric acid • Sulfuric acid • Nitric acid • Sludge acid • Hydrogen fluoride • Iodine • Morpholine
Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials (Class 9)	$50,000 – $85,000	Dry ice / cardice / solid carbon dioxide • Expandable polymeric beads / polystyrene beads • Ammonium nitrate fertilizers • Blue asbestos / crocidolite • Lithium-ion batteries • Lithium metal batteries • Battery powered equipment • Battery powered vehicles • Fuel cell engines • Internal combustion engines • Vehicles • Magnetized material • Dangerous goods in apparatus• Dangerous goods in machinery • Genetically modified organisms • Genetically modified micro-organisms • Chemical kits • First aid kits • Lifesaving appliances • Air bag modules • Seatbelt pretensioners • Plastics molding compound • Castor bean plant products • Polychlorinated biphenyls • Polychlorinated terphenyls • Dibromodifluoromethane •

 

Distance and Load Type

Long-haul (OTR) hazmat drivers may earn more per mile, but local and regional routes can offer higher hourly rates and more home time. The complexity and risk of the load – such as oversized or highly regulated shipments – also impact pay.

Endorsements and Certifications

A hazmat endorsement is required by law, but additional certifications (like the “X” endorsement for hazmat tankers, the “T” endorsement for double/triple trailer hazmat loads or TWIC cards) can boost earnings significantly (see the above table “Hazmat Driver Salary by State (2025)”).

Employer and Industry

Some industries pay more than others. For example:

• Oil and gas: $100,000 – $130,000
• Chemical manufacturing: $90,000 – $110,000
• Military and government contractors: Often offer sign-on bonuses and hazard pay

Your employer’s location and scale also impact earnings. National carriers may offer higher salaries and better benefits, while smaller regional companies may compensate withbonuses or moreflexible schedules.

Is Hazmat Truck Driving Worth It?

The answer is Yes. Hazmat drivers also often receive better benefits, bonuses, and job security due to the specialized nature of their work. However, the job comes with added stress, strict regulations, and the need for ongoing training.

Whether you’re just starting out in trucking or looking to take your career up a notch, becoming a hazmat driver can open doors to exciting new possibilities. With strong demand, fewer drivers competing for these jobs, and better pay, hazmat trucking offers a real chance to grow professionally and build financial stability – if you’re ready to take on the challenge.

Here atFortune Carriers Inc., we deeply value the skill and commitment hazmat drivers bring – not only to our team but to keeping the entire supply chain running safely across America. If you’re thinking about stepping into hazmat shipping, we’re here to help you understand what it takes and support you on a career path that’s both rewarding and vital.