Wisconsin's dairy industry, manufacturing sector, and Great Lakes port operations create diverse CDL demand. 42,000+ heavy truck drivers serve the state.
42,000+
CDL Drivers
$65B
Freight Value
3.0%
Growth Rate
8%
Hispanic Workforce
| City | Drivers | Growth | Industry Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 18,000+ | 3.2%/yr | Manufacturing, port operations |
| Madison | 6,000+ | 3.5%/yr | State capital, biotech |
| Green Bay | 4,000+ | 2.8%/yr | Paper/pulp, dairy |
| Appleton/Fox Valley | 3,500+ | 3.0%/yr | Manufacturing, paper |
Average costs by metro area and program type
| Metro | Private School | Community College | Sponsored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $3,000-$7,000 | $1,500-$4,000 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Madison | $3,000-$7,000 | $1,500-$4,000 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Green Bay | $2,500-$6,000 | $1,200-$3,500 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
Wisconsin Job Centers provide WIOA funding for CDL training.
Wisconsin veterans near Fort McCoy with VA-approved CDL programs.
State-specific veteran education benefit for qualifying training.
Administered by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) DMV
Dairy transport is Wisconsin's #1 trucking demand, refrigerated expertise critical
Paper/pulp industry requires oversize and heavy haul training
Great Lakes port operations (Milwaukee, Green Bay) require bulk cargo expertise
Extreme winter conditions require specialized cold-weather driving training
42,000+ drivers. 3.0% annual growth. Zero upfront investment.
Compare DOT compliance requirements and training costs in states bordering Wisconsin.
Figuring out how to pay for CDL school in Wisconsin? Start with our free guide.