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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Kentucky

Your path to Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Kentucky: wage evidence, licensing, training, apprenticeships and funding in one place.

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We have not verified a current training listing for this selection. The pathway, wage and regulatory guidance below remain usable, and you can widen your search in the finder.

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Answers grounded in the verified records on this page for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Kentucky, with links to official sources.

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Wage evidence

Median and mean figures with percentiles, shown against the national figure. Suppressed values stay blank.

Wage evidence for this state compared with the national figure
StatisticThis stateNational
Median hourly$27—
Median annual$56,340—
Mean hourly$29—
Mean annual$59,870—
10th percentile (hourly)$19—
25th percentile (hourly)$23—
75th percentile (hourly)$34—
90th percentile (hourly)$41—
Source: BLS May 2025 OEWS State estimatesData year: 2025Period: MayVerified: Oct 7, 2026
Percentiles are population wage percentiles, not promised starting wages. Mean and median are shown separately. Suppressed figures stay blank rather than being estimated. Reported relative error for the mean wage estimate is 1.6% (uncertainty metadata, not a confidence interval).

Career pathway

Verified progression stages where the data provides them.

This data release provides a single verified overview stage for this selection rather than a full multi-stage ladder.

Kentucky CDL / Trucking career pathway overview

  1. 1

    Commercial learner permit and applicable ELDT to state CDL

    Use the Kentucky CDL manual and licensing agency process; obtain the appropriate commercial learner's permit, complete ELDT when the federal rule applies, meet medical qualification requirements for the intended operation, and pass state knowledge and skills testing for the required class and endorsements. The acquired state-submitted dataset contains 5 occupation-mapped license or registration record(s) for this state; use the specific master records rather than assuming one credential covers every job scope.

    Credential: State-issued CDL and applicable endorsementspathway overviewVerified: Oct 8, 2026
    Verified career pathwayPathway is informational and does not guarantee eligibility, licensure, or employment.

Planning checklist

These are planning actions, not newly asserted legal requirements.

  • Confirm the licensing or registration body for your state
  • Check local or municipal requirements for your area
  • Compare training and registered apprenticeship options
  • Review funding pathways you may be eligible for

Track these steps from your saved plan.

Licensing & regulation

How this trade is regulated in this state, and where local research is still needed.

Primary regulatory structure

state individual licensing; federal credentialing or regulation (scope-specific)

Responsible authority: Kentucky Department of Education; NULL; Pupil Transportation Unit; Division of Water; Well Drillers Program; Transportation Cabinet; Division of Driver Licensing; Kentucky Transportation Cabinet; Kentucky Department of Education — NULL — Pupil Transportation Unit; Division of Water — Well Drillers Program; Transportation Cabinet — Division of Driver Licensing; Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Driver Licensing; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; home-state driver licensing agency

Classification verified: Oct 8, 2026

Official source

State individual licensing

Identified

State registration

Not identified

Local / municipal licensing

Not identified

Contractor / business licensing

Not identified

Federal credentialing

true

Industry certification

false

Employer-specific requirements

Not identified

Specific credential records

  • School Bus Driver

    required
    Scope: individual_license_or_certification; Stand-alone licenseRegulator: Kentucky Department of Education — NULL — Pupil Transportation UnitVerified: Oct 8, 2026

    GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Operate vehicles for the transportation of children to and from schools in a safe and efficient manner. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS If employed after July 13, 1990, applicant must be a high school graduate or possess a G.E.D. Applicant must complete an eighteen (18) hour (8 hours classroom - 10 hours behind the wheel) structured program developed by the Kentucky Department of Education as taught by a state-approved Driver Training Instructor. The applicant must be approved before being officially enrolled in a Kentucky school bus driver course. The local school district runs all of the pre-employment checks to ascertain a person's eligibility. The applicant must be pre-approved or accepted. EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS Must pass a preemployment road test. Must also pass the uniform Commercial Driver License (CDL) examination. Everything is set up by the local education agency. GENERAL INFORMATION for LICENSURE or CERTIFICATION Criminal records are checked on each applicant. Motor vehicle records are checked. An annual physical examination is required. CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (after licensure or certification) Each applicant must complete a minimum of eight (8) contact hours annually. Instructors are required to complete six (6) contact hours annually. Hours that must be structured and administered by a state certified Driver Training Instructor.

    Regulator site

  • Rig Operator

    required
    Scope: individual_license_or_certification; Stand-alone licenseRegulator: Division of Water — Well Drillers ProgramVerified: Oct 8, 2026

    Contact the regulatory agency for specific information.

    Regulator site

  • Licensed Commercial Driver (CDL)

    required
    Scope: individual_license_or_certification; Stand-alone licenseRegulator: Transportation Cabinet — Division of Driver LicensingVerified: Oct 8, 2026

    Contact the regulatory agency for specific information.

    Regulator site

  • Driver, Hazardous Materials Endorsement

    required
    Scope: individual_license_or_certification; Secondary license (other license is prerequisite)Regulator: Transportation Cabinet — Division of Driver LicensingVerified: Oct 8, 2026

    Contact the regulatory agency for specific information.

    Regulator site

  • Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

    required
    Scope: individual_license_or_certification; Stand-alone licenseRegulator: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Driver LicensingVerified: Oct 8, 2026

    Commercial Drivers Licenses are issued by state departments but are similar from state to state, since the minimum requirements of the licenses and endorsements are set centrally. For more information contact the state DMV or https://cms.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/how-do-i-get-commercial-drivers-license.

    Regulator site

Training options

Verified current training programs. Availability, tuition and delivery mode are separate facts.

We have not verified a current training listing for this selection. This is not evidence that no programs exist — only that we have no verified current listing to show here. The pathway, wage and regulatory guidance on this page remain fully usable, and you can widen your search in the finder.

Registered apprenticeships

Registered programs are the default view; confirmed application status is shown separately.

2 registered programs in the directory for this selection. A registered program is not the same as a confirmed open position.

Registered programs

  • Bray Construction Services

    Bray Construction Services — Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers registered apprenticeship

    Registered programAlexandriaAgency: National Registered Apprenticeship System; specific registering agency not identified in export

    Registered apprenticeship with openings not verified; status checked Oct 8, 2026.

    Registered program — openings not verifiedProgram existence/registration is supported; current recruitment is not confirmed.

  • Youngblood Excavating and Contracting, LLC

    Youngblood Excavating and Contracting, LLC — Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers registered apprenticeship

    Registered programHickoryAgency: National Registered Apprenticeship System; specific registering agency not identified in export

    Registered apprenticeship with openings not verified; status checked Oct 8, 2026.

    Registered program — openings not verifiedProgram existence/registration is supported; current recruitment is not confirmed.

Funding pathways

Direct, trade-matched and broad funding routes to investigate. Conditional awards are not guaranteed funding.

2 direct individual opportunities, 1 tied to this trade through supported evidence, and 7 broad pathways to investigate. Conditional awards are not guaranteed funding, and potential awards are never summed as savings.

Direct individual opportunities

You apply as an individual. Eligibility is determined by the administering organization.

  • Roehl Get Your CDL paid training

    Roehl Transport

    Employer or sponsor dependentactive opportunity directoryNational scope

    Applicants hired into an available Get Your CDL position and meeting Roehl and licensing requirements.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: Positions are location- and hiring-market dependent.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Employer or sponsor dependentAccess depends on an employer, sponsor, or affiliated organization and is not a direct public scholarship.
    Official program page

  • Schneider paid CDL apprenticeship training

    Schneider National

    Employer or sponsor dependentactive opportunity directoryNational scope

    Applicants accepted into an eligible Schneider driving job/training pathway who meet permit, hiring, location, and program requirements.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: Recruiting is ongoing where qualifying positions are posted.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Employer or sponsor dependentAccess depends on an employer, sponsor, or affiliated organization and is not a direct public scholarship.
    Official program page

Matched to this trade

Supported by source evidence for this occupation. Specificity varies — check the eligibility summary.

  • mikeroweWORKS Work Ethic Scholarship

    mikeroweWORKS Foundation

    Direct individual applicationactiveNational scope

    U.S. citizens who are high-school seniors or graduates and plan an approved skilled-trade program of two years or less at an accredited school, subject to full program rules.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: October 31, 2026Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Direct individual applicationEligibility and deadline rules still apply; no award is guaranteed.
    Official program page

General funding pathways to investigate

Broad programs without a specific trade match. Scope is deliberately not personalized.

  • Kentucky WIOA training assistance / Individual Training Account pathway

    Kentucky Career Center

    Conditional — through workforce or schoolactive conditional

    Potentially available to WIOA-eligible participants after assessment by the state or local workforce system; training normally must satisfy applicable ETPL and individual-employment-plan rules.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: No universal deadline; contact the official workforce system before enrollment.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Conditional workforce or school pathwayRequires eligibility determination or access through a workforce agency or institution; not guaranteed financial aid.
    Official program page

  • The Home Depot Foundation Path to Pro Scholarship

    The Home Depot Foundation

    Direct individual applicationactive rollingNational scope

    Individuals pursuing eligible construction skilled-trade education, subject to the applicable Path to Pro scholarship terms.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: Applications accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Direct individual applicationEligibility and deadline rules still apply; no award is guaranteed.
    Official program page

  • Federal Pell Grant for eligible career-school and undergraduate programs

    U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

    Direct individual applicationactiveNational scope

    Eligible undergraduate students with financial need attending a participating institution and eligible program; trade/career programs may qualify but each program must be confirmed.

    Award: $7,395Beneficiary: individualDeadline: 2026-27 FAFSA and school deadlines apply; verify on StudentAid.gov and with the school.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Direct individual applicationEligibility and deadline rules still apply; no award is guaranteed.
    Official program page

  • Registered Apprenticeship paid employment and training

    Participating employers and registered apprenticeship sponsors

    Conditional — through workforce or schoolactive opportunity directoryNational scope

    Applicants must locate an available apprenticeship opportunity and apply directly to the employer or program sponsor; occupations and entry requirements vary.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: Opportunity-specific; do not assume an opening is accepting applications.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Conditional workforce or school pathwayRequires eligibility determination or access through a workforce agency or institution; not guaranteed financial aid.
    Official program page

  • Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    Conditional — through workforce or schoolactiveNational scope

    Eligible child or spouse of a veteran or service member meeting a qualifying permanent-and-total disability, death, MIA, capture, or detention condition; approved technical, vocational, apprenticeship, and OJT may qualify.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: Ongoing; delimiting dates and program approval vary.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Conditional workforce or school pathwayRequires eligibility determination or access through a workforce agency or institution; not guaranteed financial aid.
    Official program page

  • GI Bill benefits for approved on-the-job training and apprenticeships

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    Conditional — through workforce or schoolactiveNational scope

    Eligible veterans, service members, or dependents with qualifying GI Bill entitlement who enter a VA-approved OJT or apprenticeship program.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: Ongoing; applicant and training establishment approvals are required.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Conditional workforce or school pathwayRequires eligibility determination or access through a workforce agency or institution; not guaranteed financial aid.
    Official program page

  • WIOA Individual Training Account and training-service pathway

    State and local workforce development boards under U.S. DOL

    Conditional — through workforce or schoolactive conditionalNational scope

    Adults, dislocated workers, and some youth who are determined eligible and in need of training may receive training services, commonly through an ITA, for an approved program/provider.

    Award: not statedBeneficiary: individualDeadline: Ongoing local intake; timing and funds vary by local workforce area.Status checked: Oct 8, 2026
    Conditional workforce or school pathwayRequires eligibility determination or access through a workforce agency or institution; not guaranteed financial aid.
    Official program page