How Much More Could a Hazmat Endorsement Be Worth?
Enter your state and the miles you run. See what modeled hazmat pay premiums could mean for your rate per mile and your year.
Step 1 — Your numbers
Hazmat Endorsement Earnings Calculator
Pick how you want to estimate, then enter your numbers.
Please select your state.
Total miles in a year. Weekly miles times 50 is a close estimate.
Enter your yearly miles (a number between 1,000 and 250,000).
60 means 60 cents per mile. Use your all-in rate if you know it.
Enter your pay per mile in cents (a number between 10 and 300).
Whole dollars per year. We'll apply the modeled premium to this number.
Enter your current annual pay (a number between 1 and 500,000).
Step 2 — Where to send your estimate
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Your estimate
Baseline
$0/year
This is an estimate, not a guarantee. BLS does not publish a separate wage table for hazmat-endorsed drivers. The hazmat earnings numbers above are modeled premium scenarios, not BLS-reported hazmat wages. Actual pay depends on carrier, freight type, state, experience, tanker requirement, lane, home time, and endorsements.
Want access to higher-paying hazmat freight?
Hazmat endorsement can help you qualify for more freight opportunities — including fuel, chemical, tanker, government, expedited, and specialized loads. Complete the required online theory training and take the next step toward your endorsement.
Why a Hazmat Endorsement Matters
More freight you can haul
Fuel, chemical, tanker, government, expedited, and specialized loads often require the H or X endorsement.
Fewer qualified drivers
The TSA background check and added testing thin the field, which can work in a qualified driver's favor.
Pairs with tanker (X)
Many of the higher-paying hazmat roles are tanker lanes, where the combined X endorsement is what carriers want.
Steady demand
Hazardous materials move year-round across nearly every region and industry.
What the Course Covers
FMCSA ELDT theory
The required entry-level driver training theory curriculum for the hazardous materials endorsement.
100% online
Self-paced video lessons you can complete from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Hazmat fundamentals
Regulations, handling, loading and segregation, placarding, emergencies, and security awareness.
Knowledge checks
Lesson quizzes and a final assessment aligned to the federal curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BLS report hazmat driver pay separately?
No. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wages for the broad occupation "Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers" (SOC 53-3032), but it does not break out a separate wage figure for drivers who hold a hazmat endorsement. The hazmat numbers in this calculator are modeled premium scenarios, not BLS-reported hazmat wages.
Where does the hazmat rate come from?
It is your own rate per mile, increased by a modeled premium of 5, 10, or 15 percent. Those percentages are scenarios, not measured results. There is no official table of hazmat pay rates by state.
Is this calculator a guarantee?
No. It is an estimate built on modeled premium scenarios (+5%, +10%, +15%). Your actual pay depends on your carrier, the type of freight, your state, your experience, whether a tanker endorsement is required, your lanes, your home time, and your other endorsements.
What can a hazmat endorsement help me qualify for?
It may help you qualify for freight that requires hazardous materials handling — such as fuel, chemical, tanker, government, expedited, and specialized loads. Qualifying for a load still depends on each carrier's hiring requirements.
Do I still need a TSA background check?
Yes. Federal rules require a TSA Security Threat Assessment (background check) to receive a hazmat endorsement, in addition to the knowledge test. This course is the theory training step; it does not replace the TSA check or the state knowledge exam.
Is this the required ELDT theory training?
This course is built around the FMCSA entry-level driver training theory curriculum for the hazardous materials endorsement. Completing required theory training is one of the steps in the endorsement process.
Can I take the course online?
Yes. The theory training is delivered online and is self-paced, so you can complete it from your phone, tablet, or computer.
What happens after I complete the course?
After completing the required theory training, your next steps generally include the TSA background check and the state hazmat knowledge test. Specific steps and order can vary by state, so check your state's CDL requirements.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 53-3032 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. Hazmat premium scenarios are modeled estimates, not BLS-reported hazmat wages.