Lorry Driver Salary Overview

If you're researching a lorry driver salary in the UK, the most reliable source is the Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ONS ASHE). For 2025 (provisional data), the median gross annual pay for a full-time large goods vehicle driver (occupation code 8211) is £39,141, with a median hourly rate of £16.25. This is slightly above the UK median for all full-time employees (£39,039), reflecting the skilled nature of the work.

The Road Haulage Association's (RHA) Pay Report 2026 provides more granular data by licence class. For example, Class C+E (articulated lorry) drivers have a median basic hourly rate of £15.05, while Class C (rigid) drivers earn £14.50. Van drivers (Class B) earn around £12.50 per hour. These basic rates are often supplemented by overtime, night-out allowances, and shift premiums.

Hourly to Annual Conversion for Lorry Drivers

Converting an hourly rate to an annual salary requires knowing your typical weekly hours. Unlike standard office roles (often 37.5 hours), lorry drivers frequently work 45–55 hours per week. Use the formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a median hourly rate of £16.25 and a 48-hour week (common for rigid drivers), the annual figure is roughly £16.25 × 48 × 52 = £40,560. However, ONS ASHE figures include overtime, so the median annual of £39,141 suggests that many drivers work fewer paid hours or have lower basic rates.

Use our hourly calculator to try different scenarios. Remember that this is gross pay before tax and National Insurance. The Income Tax Personal Allowance is £12,570, so you'll pay tax on earnings above that.

Factors Affecting Lorry Driver Pay

Several factors influence your actual lorry driver salary:

• Licence class: Class 1 (artic) drivers earn more than Class 2 (rigid) or van drivers.
• Overtime: Many drivers work 50+ hours. Overtime is often paid at time-and-a-quarter after 45 hours, but some contracts pay flat rate.
• Night-out allowances: The agreed industry scale is £26.20 per night with a sleeper cab, or £34.90 without. These are tax-free if within HMRC benchmark rates.
• London weighting: The voluntary Real Living Wage for London is £14.80 per hour (2026), compared to £13.45 elsewhere. Some employers pay more in the South East.
• Experience and endorsements: ADR (dangerous goods), tanker, or refrigerated work can command higher rates.

National Living Wage Context

The National Living Wage (for workers aged 21+) is £12.21 per hour from April 2025, rising to £12.71 from April 2026. Most lorry drivers earn well above this, but it sets a floor. The National Minimum Wage for 18–20 year olds is £10.00 (2025) rising to £10.85 (2026). Apprentices and under-18s have lower rates.

For more detailed pay benchmarks, see our salary data page, which includes ONS ASHE tables and industry surveys.

Key Takeaways

• The median lorry driver earns around £16.25 per hour, or £39,900 annually.
• Actual pay varies widely: top 10% earn over £53,000, while lower quartile earn around £33,700.
• Always check your contract for guaranteed hours, overtime rates, and how holiday pay is calculated.
• Use the conversion formula with your actual hours to estimate your annual salary.

For a full breakdown of UK earnings, visit our salary articles covering different occupations and pay scales.