DC Route Driver

As per the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour as of January 1, 2026, applying to all non-exempt drivers including delivery and light truck drivers. Drivers paid by mileage or commission must earn at least this amount for all hours worked, with overtime at 1.5 times the rate after 40 hours per week. 29 states plus DC have higher rates, such as $16.00 per hour in California.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $57,800 as of May 2025 data projected for 2026. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $41,200, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $82,900. Annual wages range from $45,000 for entry-level to $75,000 for experienced drivers with CDL endorsements.

As per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the H-2B visa is available for temporary non-agricultural driver jobs, with a FY2026 cap of 66,000 visas plus up to 64,716 supplemental, totaling 130,716. Employers must obtain temporary labor certification from DOL before USCIS petition filing, valid for up to 12 months. Processing fee is $460 per petition as of 2026.

As per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, no postsecondary education is required, but a high school diploma or GED is preferred by most employers. A valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is mandatory, with many jobs requiring 1-2 years of experience or 160-hour training program completion. Interstate drivers must pass DOT medical exam every 24 months.