SOC 8211 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives

Large goods vehicle drivers Salary

Median salary £39,141 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £39,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For large goods vehicle drivers, £39,905 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +2.0% versus the national average. Experienced large goods vehicle drivers (top 25%) earn over £46,326.

About this role

Large goods vehicle drivers operate vehicles to transport goods, passengers or materials safely and efficiently. They follow traffic regulations, maintain their vehicles, manage delivery schedules and ensure the safe handling of their cargo or passengers.

Key responsibilities

Operating vehicles safely and in compliance with road traffic law
Planning routes and managing delivery or service schedules
Conducting vehicle checks and reporting defects
Loading, securing and unloading cargo where applicable
Maintaining accurate records (tachograph, delivery logs)

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a valid driving licence for the vehicle category. LGV (Category C/C+E) or PCV (Category D) requires additional training, medical examination and CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). ADR certification is needed for hazardous goods.

Career outlook

Significant driver shortage, particularly for LGV drivers. Improved pay and conditions are being offered across the logistics sector.

Key skills

Safe driving Route planning Vehicle maintenance awareness Time management Customer service

Common industries

Logistics and distribution
Public transport
Haulage
Passenger services
Construction

Data coverage

SOC code 8211

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 204,000

Median Salary

£39,141

Mean Salary

£38,887

Jobs (000s)

204k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £25kP25: £33kMedian: £39kP75: £46kP90: £53k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£24,708

0-2 years

Mid Level

£32,510

3-7 years

Senior

£46,326

8-15 years

Leadership

£52,634

15+ years

Potential career growth: +113% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +46.2%Real growth: +6.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£39,141

Full-time Only

£39,905

Full-time premium: +£764

Large goods vehicle drivers salary: common questions

How much do large goods vehicle drivers earn in the UK?

Large goods vehicle drivers earn a median of £39,905 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £32,510 and £46,326.

Is £39,905 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for large goods vehicle drivers?

Entry-level large goods vehicle drivers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £32,510, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £24,708.

How much do the highest-paid large goods vehicle drivers earn?

The best-paid 10% of large goods vehicle drivers earn over £52,634 a year, and the top 25% over £46,326 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have large goods vehicle drivers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median large goods vehicle drivers pay has risen from £27,272 to £39,905 — +46% in cash terms, or +6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).