Driver/Sales Workers
SOC 53-3031 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Driver/Sales Workers is $35,420, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $38,230, and an estimated 463,120 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +26.7% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +7.6% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 8.8% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Driver/Sales Workers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $35,420 | $35,420 | 463,120 |
| 2022 | $32,690 | $34,036 | 489,510 |
| 2021 | $29,280 | $32,925 | 477,020 |
| 2020 | $27,960 | $32,918 | 420,890 |
Nominal change
+26.7%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+7.6%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+8.8%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
451,500
Projected 2034
491,300
Annual Openings
51,300
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Driver/Sales Workers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $35,420. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $44,450 | +25.5% | 270 |
| Louisiana | $44,030 | +24.3% | 3,590 |
| North Dakota | $43,960 | +24.1% | 1,700 |
| Vermont | $43,880 | +23.9% | 780 |
| Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $43,820 | +23.7% | 130 |
| Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $42,690 | +20.5% | 240 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $42,390 | +19.7% | 120 |
| California | $41,670 | +17.6% | 48,380 |
| Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $40,660 | +14.8% | 460 |
| East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $40,320 | +13.8% | 140 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$20,800
25th Pct
$25,900
Median
$35,420
75th Pct
$46,640
90th Pct
$61,080
Related Occupations in Transportation & Material Moving
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.