Missouri is the Gateway to the West, two major metro hubs, Mississippi River port operations, and I-70/I-44 corridors. 55,000+ heavy truck drivers serve the state.
55,000+
CDL Drivers
$85B
Freight Value
3.5%
Growth Rate
5%
Hispanic Workforce
| City | Drivers | Growth | Industry Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 22,000+ | 3.2%/yr | River port, auto manufacturing |
| Kansas City | 18,000+ | 4.0%/yr | Intermodal hub, distribution |
| Springfield | 6,000+ | 3.0%/yr | Agriculture, Bass Pro logistics |
| Columbia | 3,000+ | 2.5%/yr | University, I-70 corridor |
Average costs by metro area and program type
| Metro | Private School | Community College | Sponsored |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $3,000-$7,000 | $1,500-$4,000 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Kansas City | $3,000-$7,000 | $1,500-$4,000 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Springfield | $2,500-$5,500 | $1,200-$3,000 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
Missouri Job Centers provide WIOA funding for CDL training.
Missouri has 400,000+ veterans near Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman AFB.
Free training for high-demand certifications including CDL.
Administered by Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR)
Two major metro areas create dual distribution hub demand (STL + KC)
Mississippi River port operations in St. Louis require intermodal training
I-70 corridor connects the two major metros with high commercial traffic
Auto manufacturing (GM, Ford) demands JIT supply chain compliance
55,000+ drivers. 3.5% annual growth. Zero upfront investment.
Compare DOT compliance requirements and training costs in states bordering Missouri.
32,000+ drivers · 3.0% growth
Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT)
130,000+ drivers · 3.5% growth
Illinois Secretary of State (SOS)
42,000+ drivers · 3.8% growth
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
50,000+ drivers · 5.0% growth
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
32,000+ drivers · 3.5% growth
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)
35,000+ drivers · 3.2% growth
Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS)
28,000+ drivers · 2.8% growth
Kansas Division of Vehicles
22,000+ drivers · 3.0% growth
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Figuring out how to pay for CDL school in Missouri? Start with our free guide.