Best States for Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailers to Start a Home Business
We ranked all 51 states based on licensing requirements, earning potential, LLC costs, and tax burden. Here are the best (and worst) states for truck driver, tractor-trailers.
0 states don't require a license · National median: N/A · Updated 2025
▲ Top 5 Best States
Full Ranking: All 51 States
| # | State | License | Fee | Median Wage | LLC Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | Yes | $50 | $25.81/hr | $50 | 88 |
| 2 | Montana | Yes | $26 | $28.40/hr | $35 | 88 |
| 3 | New Mexico | Yes | $18 | $23.25/hr | $50 | 88 |
| 4 | Virginia | Yes | $27 | $26.20/hr | $100 | 84 |
| 5 | Iowa | Yes | $76 | $26.48/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 6 | Kentucky | Yes | $125 | $26.73/hr | $40 | 83 |
| 7 | Michigan | Yes | $60 | $26.51/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 8 | Mississippi | Yes | $96 | $24.38/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 9 | Missouri | Yes | $86 | $24.30/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 10 | Delaware | Yes | $48 | $28.13/hr | $110 | 80 |
| 11 | Illinois | Yes | $50 | $28.75/hr | $150 | 80 |
| 12 | Kansas | Yes | $40 | $27.37/hr | $165 | 80 |
| 13 | Minnesota | Yes | $41 | $29.37/hr | $155 | 80 |
| 14 | New York | Yes | $50 | $29.10/hr | $200 | 80 |
| 15 | North Dakota | Yes | $25 | $28.35/hr | $135 | 80 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | Yes | $31 | $28.14/hr | $125 | 80 |
| 17 | South Carolina | Yes | $34 | $24.91/hr | $110 | 80 |
| 18 | California | Yes | $83 | $28.82/hr | $70 | 79 |
| 19 | Georgia | Yes | $95 | $27.20/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 20 | Hawaii | Yes | $105 | $28.52/hr | $51 | 79 |
| 21 | Maryland | Yes | $140 | $27.49/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | Yes | $80 | $28.18/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 23 | Ohio | Yes | $122 | $27.92/hr | $99 | 79 |
| 24 | Utah | Yes | $130 | $28.64/hr | $54 | 79 |
| 25 | Arkansas | Yes | $92 | $23.81/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 26 | Alabama | Yes | $147 | $24.09/hr | $200 | 75 |
| 27 | Florida | Yes | $75 | $24.04/hr | $125 | 75 |
| 28 | Maine | Yes | $104 | $24.97/hr | $175 | 75 |
| 29 | Nebraska | Yes | $52 | $27.86/hr | $110 | 75 |
| 30 | Vermont | Yes | $139 | $27.10/hr | $125 | 75 |
| 31 | Idaho | Yes | $201 | $25.60/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 32 | Indiana | Yes | $152 | $28.89/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 33 | Louisiana | Yes | $176 | $23.45/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | Yes | $163 | $24.96/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 35 | Oregon | Yes | $188 | $29.41/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 36 | West Virginia | Yes | $158 | $23.58/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 37 | Colorado | Yes | $310 | $28.97/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 38 | Alaska | Yes | $160 | $31.20/hr | $250 | 70 |
| 39 | Connecticut | Yes | $131 | $28.22/hr | $120 | 70 |
| 40 | Massachusetts | Yes | $140 | $29.15/hr | $500 | 70 |
| 41 | Nevada | Yes | $147 | $29.28/hr | $425 | 70 |
| 42 | North Carolina | Yes | $172 | $23.84/hr | $125 | 70 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | Yes | $167 | $28.71/hr | $150 | 70 |
| 44 | South Dakota | Yes | $156 | $27.35/hr | $150 | 70 |
| 45 | Tennessee | Yes | $70 | $26.74/hr | $300 | 70 |
| 46 | Texas | Yes | $122 | $25.51/hr | $300 | 70 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | Yes | $254 | $27.59/hr | $130 | 70 |
| 48 | Wyoming | Yes | $180 | $28.98/hr | $102 | 70 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | Yes | $225 | $30.58/hr | $99 | 69 |
| 50 | New Jersey | Yes | $167 | $31.12/hr | $125 | 65 |
| 51 | Washington | Yes | $325 | $30.66/hr | $200 | 60 |
▼ 5 Most Challenging States
Washington
Fee: $325$30.66/hr60
New Jersey
Fee: $167$31.12/hr65
District of Columbia
Fee: $225$30.58/hr69
Wyoming
Fee: $180$28.98/hr70
Wisconsin
Fee: $254$27.59/hr70
How We Scored Each State
Each state starts with a base score of 50, then we add or subtract points based on:
- No license required: +20 points (biggest single factor — lower barriers to entry)
- License fee: −10 for fees over $500, −5 for over $300, +10 for under $50
- Wages above national median: Up to +15 points for states paying 20%+ above national median
- LLC formation cost: +8 for states under $50, −5 for states over $300
- No sales tax on services: +5 points
Data sources: Institute for Justice License to Work 3 (licensing), BLS OEWS May 2024 (wages), state Secretary of State offices (LLC costs). This ranking reflects factors relevant to home-based operators — commercial location costs, local zoning, and cost of living are not included.
Found your state?
Get the full step-by-step guide for starting your home truck driver, tractor-trailer business.
View All Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer State Guides