Heavy Truck Driver Career Guide: Longview, TX

If you're a CDL-A driver looking to relocate, Longview, Texas, offers a compelling mix of affordability and steady demand. As a local who’s watched the trucking industry evolve here over the last two decades, I can tell you this isn’t a boomtown for drivers—it’s a reliable, stable market with a cost of living that makes your paycheck stretch further. This guide breaks down the real numbers, the local job landscape, and the day-to-day reality of driving in East Texas.

The Salary Picture: Where Longview Stands

Longview’s trucking salaries sit slightly below the national average but are bolstered by a low cost of living. The median annual salary for Heavy Truck Drivers in the Longview metro area is $51,242/year, with a median hourly rate of $24.64/hour. This compares to the national average of $53,090/year. The key here is stability: the Longview metro supports 337 jobs for heavy truck drivers, with a 10-year job growth projection of 4%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's consistent, and it reflects the area's role as a regional logistics hub for East Texas.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the local market:

Experience Level	Typical Longview Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$42,000 - $48,000/year	Local/Regional runs, yard jockeying, basic dry van operations.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$49,000 - $60,000/year	OTR (Over-the-Road) routes, regional flatbed, hazmat endorsements.
Senior (8-15 years)	$58,000 - $70,000/year	Dedicated accounts (e.g., paper mills, oil/gas), trainer roles, specialized equipment.
Expert (15+ years)	$65,000 - $85,000+	Owner-operator (with own rig), logistics manager, high-value freight (e.g., pharmaceuticals).

How Longview Compares to Other Texas Cities:

• Dallas-Fort Worth: Median salary is higher (~$56,000/year), but cost of living is 20-30% more.
• Houston: Similar median (~$52,000/year), but traffic congestion and port/rail volume create more overtime opportunities.
• El Paso: Lower median (~$48,000/year), but a major cross-border logistics hub.
• San Antonio: Slightly higher median (~$53,000/year), with a mix of military and commercial freight.

Insider Tip: Longview’s strength is in regional and local routes. You’re rarely stuck in a single lane. A driver might run a dedicated route from Longview to the Dallas distribution centers on Monday and Tuesday, be home Wednesday, then take a local flatbed load to a Gilmer manufacturing plant on Thursday. This variety can be a big draw if you value a predictable home time.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s run the numbers on a driver earning the median salary of $51,242/year. This is a practical budget for a single driver or a family with a single income.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $51,242
• Monthly Gross Pay: $4,270
• Taxes (Federal, FICA, State): ~22% (TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage)
• Net Monthly Pay: ~$3,330
• Average 1BR Rent in Longview: $930/month

Monthly Budget Item	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$930	You can find decent 1BR units in North Longview or near the Loop for this price.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Trash, Internet)	$250	Texas summers can drive electric bills up. Budget for AC.
Groceries	$400	For one person. A family of four would be closer to $800.
Fuel	$300	Assumes a personal vehicle for off-duty time. Local stations like Buc-ee's or Love's often have better rates.
Vehicle Insurance & Maintenance	$200	TX has higher auto insurance rates. Keep your CDL clean.
Personal/Health Insurance	$250	Depends on employer benefits. Many local carriers offer decent plans.
Phone	$70
Savings/Debt	$300	Student loans, credit cards, or emergency fund.
Discretionary Spending	$230	Eating out, entertainment, clothes.
TOTAL	$2,930	Leaves a buffer of ~$400/month

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, but it requires planning. The median home price in Longview is around $185,000 - $200,000. With a 10% down payment ($18,500 - $20,000), you’d be looking at a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of roughly $1,300 - $1,400.

The Math: A driver earning the median salary ($51,242/year) could theoretically afford a home if they:

1. Save aggressively for a down payment (2-3 years at $300/month).
2. Keep other debts low.
3. Secure a housing payment that’s no more than 30% of their net monthly income. At $3,330/net, $1,000 is the ideal target, making a $1,300 mortgage tight but doable without other major debts.

Insider Tip: Many drivers in Longview opt for a "land home" or a manufactured home on a lot. These can be found for $120,000 - $150,000 with more space, and the monthly payment is often lower than rent. It’s a popular path for drivers who want to own but don’t want a traditional mortgage.

Where the Jobs Are: Longview's Major Employers

Longview’s economy is anchored in energy, manufacturing, and logistics. The truck driving jobs here are less about mega-carriers and more about regional carriers and local companies. Here are the key players:

1. East Texas Oil & Gas Companies (e.g., Patterson-UTI, Helmerich & Payne): These companies need drivers for their field operations, transporting water, sand, and equipment to well sites in Gregg, Rusk, and Upshur counties. Demand is tied to oil prices, but when it’s busy, the overtime is plentiful. Hiring Trend: Steady, with a focus on drivers with tanker and hazmat endorsements.
2. Paper Mills (e.g., Georgia-Pacific in nearby Vernon, but employing many Longview residents): While not in Longview city limits, the mill is a massive employer. Drivers move heavy rolls of paper and raw materials. Hiring Trend: Very stable. These are union jobs with excellent benefits and predictable schedules.
3. Logistics & Distribution Centers: Companies like XPO Logistics and Old Dominion Freight Line have significant operations in the Longview area, serving the I-20 corridor. They hire drivers for regional and local LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) routes. Hiring Trend: Consistent growth, especially for dedicated accounts serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
4. Manufacturing (e.g., Pilgrim's Pride, Trane): Greg Abbott’s economic policies have spurred manufacturing growth. Pilgrim's Pride (poultry processing) needs refrigerated (reefer) drivers for local deliveries. Trane (HVAC) has a large plant in Clarksville (45 min away) and needs flatbed drivers. Hiring Trend: Growing, with a need for drivers who can handle specific trailer types.
5. Local Carriers (e.g., J & J Transport, Edwards Motor Line): These are the bread-and-butter regional carriers based right in Longview. They offer tight-knit company cultures and are a great place to cut your teeth on regional OTR. Hiring Trend: They always need reliable drivers to replace retirements. Turning over a clean driving record is key.
6. Grocery & Food Distribution (e.g., Brookshire’s, Walmart Distribution Centers): While Brookshire's is based in Tyler, their distribution network employs many Longview drivers for local routes. Walmart’s massive distribution center in nearby Mount Pleasant is a major employer. Hiring Trend: High turnover means constant hiring, but jobs are competitive.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at job boards. Call the dispatch offices of these companies directly. Many don’t advertise openings but will talk to a driver with a good record. The best jobs are often filled through word-of-mouth.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has a straightforward process, but there are a few state-specific details to know.

Requirements:

1. Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP): You must be 18 (21 for interstate), pass a vision test, knowledge tests (General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination), and provide proof of Texas residency and citizenship.
2. CDL Training: Texas requires entry-level driver training (ELDT) from a registered provider. This can be done at a community college (like Panola College in Carthage, 30 min away) or a private school (like Texas CDL School in nearby Tyler). Cost: $3,500 - $6,000 for a full program.
3. Skills Test: After holding your CLP for 14 days, you can schedule the road test with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Timeline & Costs:

• Timeline: 4-8 weeks from starting training to having your full CDL-A in hand.
• Total Costs (excluding lost wages):
  • ELDT Training: $3,500 - $6,000
  • DOT Physical: $100 - $150
  • CLP/CDL Fees: ~$150
  • Total: ~$3,750 - $6,300

Insider Tip: Some local employers, like J & J Transport, offer tuition reimbursement programs. It’s worth asking during interviews. Also, Panola College’s program is often more affordable than private schools and has strong ties to local employers.

Best Neighborhoods for Heavy Truck Drivers

Where you live in Longview affects your commute, especially if you need to get to a terminal or distribution center quickly.

Neighborhood	Vibe	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Commute & Notes
North Longview (near I-20 & Mobberly)	Practical, close to major employers.	$850 - $1,000	Quick access to I-20 for OTR starts. Near the Walmart DC and many logistics yards. A no-frills, functional choice.
The "Loop" Areas (Loop 281)	Convenient, mixed-income.	$900 - $1,100	Easy access to the entire city, grocery stores, and shops. Good balance if you have a family.
Greggton (East of downtown)	Older, established, quiet.	$800 - $950	Good value. 10-15 min drive to most major employers. More single-family homes here.
Glenwood (South of I-20)	Suburban, family-oriented.	$950 - $1,200	Near schools and parks. A longer commute to the northern industrial areas (15-20 min), but a nicer residential feel.
South Longview (near Kelly Springs Rd)	Growing, new developments.	$900 - $1,100	More modern apartments. Commute to the north side can be 20+ min in traffic, but easy access to US 259 for runs to East Texas.

Insider Tip: If you’re OTR and only home a couple of nights a week, a cheap apartment in North Longview or Greggton makes the most sense. If you’re a local driver with a family, Glenwood or the Loop areas offer a better quality of life.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Longview is a fantastic place to build a solid, long-term career without the constant pressure of a major metro.

Specialty Premiums:

• Tanker Endorsement (X): Crucial for oil & gas jobs. Can add $2 - $5/hour.
• Hazmat (H): Required for many chemical and manufacturing loads. Often a prerequisite for higher-paying specialized roles.
• Flatbed (T): In high demand for manufacturing and lumber. Requires tarping skills, which some drivers avoid, creating a niche for those who don't mind the work.
• Reefer (Temperature-Controlled): For food and medical supply. Steady work, but can involve more waiting time.

Advancement Paths:

1. Driver to Trainer: Senior drivers can earn extra income training new hires at local carriers.
2. Company Driver to Owner-Operator: Many local drivers start with a company, then lease a truck to the same company, leveraging their knowledge of local lanes and shippers.
3. Driver to Dispatcher/Logistics Coordinator: With a few years of experience and good people skills, you can move to the office side, where the pay is salary-based and you’re home every night.
4. Specialization: Becoming the go-to driver for a specific type of freight (e.g., oversized loads for the oil field) can lead to premium pay and job security.

10-Year Outlook (4% Growth):
The 4% job growth in the Longview metro is solid and reflects the area's economic diversification. The biggest driver of this growth will be the continued expansion of manufacturing and e-commerce distribution centers along the I-20 corridor. While automation won’t replace drivers for local and regional routes in the next decade, it will change the job. Expect more use of telematics and ELDs, and a premium on drivers who can handle complex, multi-stop local routes efficiently.

Insider Tip: The real growth for drivers in Longview won't be in the number of jobs, but in the value of those jobs. As the local economy adds more advanced manufacturing and specialized energy work, the pay for drivers who have the right endorsements and a clean record will rise faster than the median.

The Verdict: Is Longview Right for You?

Longview isn't glamorous, but it's a practical, affordable, and stable market for heavy truck drivers. It's a great place to get your career started, raise a family, or transition to a less hectic lifestyle than a major coastal metro.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes much further here.	Lower Median Pay: Still trails national average and major TX metros.
No State Income Tax: More money in your pocket.	Limited OTR Options: Fewer mega-carriers are based here.
Stable Job Market: 337 jobs with 4% growth is steady.	Can Feel Isolated: It's 2 hours from Dallas and 3 from Houston.
Variety of Routes: Local, regional, and some OTR.	Weather: Hot, humid summers and occasional ice storms in winter.
Family-Friendly: Good schools, low crime, easy commutes.	Nightlife is Limited: Not a city for nightlife seekers.

Final Recommendation:
Longview is an excellent choice for a driver who values stability, affordability, and home time over chasing the absolute highest paycheck. It's ideal for:

• A driver starting a family and looking to buy a home.
• A driver tired of the cost and congestion of a major city.
• A driver who wants to specialize in regional routes without constant cross-country hauls.

If you’re a young, single driver wanting to see the country and maximize your income in the short term, you might start elsewhere. But for the long haul, Longview is a hidden gem for trucking careers.

FAQs

Q: How is the weather for truck driving in Longview?
A: Summers are hot and humid (90°F+), which can be tough if you’re waiting for a load with no AC. Winters are mild but can have dangerous ice storms that shut down I-20. You need to be prepared for all four seasons.

Q: Are there many female truck drivers in Longview?
A: The number is growing, but it's still a male-dominated field. Companies like Old Dominion and Pilgrim's Pride have made efforts to recruit more women. There are also a few local women driver groups on social media for support.

Q: What’s the parking situation like?
A: It’s decent. There are truck stops along I-20 (Love's, Pilot) and plenty of local diesel lanes. Finding parking at a local distribution center after hours can be a challenge in some industrial parks, so it’s a good question to ask in an interview.

Q: Is it worth getting a hazmat endorsement in Longview?
A: Absolutely. It’s one of the