CDL TRUCK DRIVER
Moves freight. Fastest path to a livable wage of any trade — 4 to 8 weeks of training, then hired. Washington is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.
The License.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Washington: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries (L&I). Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in Washington. 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 |
Washington is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in Washington's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.
The Path.
Washington is a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) state — it administers its own apprenticeship programs separately from the federal RAPIDS system. Contact the state labor department directly or visit apprenticeship.gov and filter by state.
- · 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 Washington DMV. Prevailing wage requirements in Washington 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 Many licensing boards do not publish them.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.