Mississippi's commercial transportation sector: Mississippi River transport, poultry/agriculture, military. 28,000+ heavy truck drivers serve the state.
28,000+
CDL Drivers
$38B
Freight Value
3.0%
Growth Rate
5%
Hispanic Workforce
| City | Drivers | Growth | Industry Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 8,000+ | 2.8%/yr | State capital, distribution |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 5,000+ | 3.5%/yr | Port, casino logistics |
| Tupelo | 4,000+ | 3.2%/yr | Furniture manufacturing, Toyota |
| Hattiesburg | 3,000+ | 2.5%/yr | Camp Shelby, timber |
Average costs by metro area and program type
| Metro | Private School | Community College | Sponsored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $2,000-$5,000 | $1,000-$3,000 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Gulfport | $2,500-$5,500 | $1,000-$3,000 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Tupelo | $2,000-$4,500 | $1,000-$2,500 | Toyota programs |
Mississippi WIN Job Centers provide WIOA funding for CDL training.
Mississippi has 190,000+ veterans near Keesler AFB and Camp Shelby.
State-funded employer training program for CDL certification.
Administered by Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Mississippi River barge-to-truck intermodal creates unique training requirements
Gulf Coast hurricane logistics and emergency response preparedness
Poultry industry (Sanderson Farms, Cal-Maine) requires refrigerated transport training
Lowest CDL training costs in the nation attract out-of-state students
28,000+ drivers. 3.0% annual growth. Zero upfront investment.
Compare DOT compliance requirements and training costs in states bordering Mississippi.
50,000+ drivers · 5.0% growth
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
38,000+ drivers · 4.2% growth
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
40,000+ drivers · 3.5% growth
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)
32,000+ drivers · 3.5% growth
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)
Figuring out how to pay for CDL school in Mississippi? Start with our free guide.