Overview

Lisa Kelly, born on December 8, 1980, is an American trucker and reality television personality best known for her role on History Channel’s “Ice Road Truckers” and its spin-off, “IRT: Deadliest Roads.” Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, she moved to Sterling, Alaska, at a young age. Before becoming a prominent figure in the trucking industry, Lisa explored various career paths, including working as a school bus driver, at gas stations, and even achieving the title of state freestyle motocross champion. Her interest in trucking led her to train and eventually get hired by Carlile Transportation, an Alaskan haulage company. On “Ice Road Truckers,” Lisa navigated the icy Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, often hauling oversized loads. She was a notable presence as one of the few female truckers in the series. Beyond trucking, Lisa is married to Travis Kelly and resides in Wasilla, Alaska, where they enjoy a life with horses, cats, and dogs. Lisa’s journey reflects her strong work ethic and determination to pursue her dreams, inspiring others to overcome challenges and strive for their goals.

Carlile Transportation

Truck Driver

What Is Lisa Kelly’s Net Worth?

Lisa Kelly, an American trucker and reality television personality, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $500,000 as of 2025. This valuation stems primarily from her career as a professional truck driver and her appearances on popular reality television shows. While specific details regarding the composition of her net worth, such as individual earnings from trucking contracts or endorsements, are not publicly available, we can infer that the majority is derived from her trucking career and television appearances.

Early Career and Transition to Trucking

Lisa Kelly’s early life in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later in Sterling, Alaska, provided the backdrop for her eventual career path. After attending Cornerstone University for a brief period, she returned to Alaska, where she held a variety of jobs, including working for a pizza company, a gas station, and as a school bus driver. These early jobs, while seemingly unrelated to trucking, likely provided her with valuable work experience and an understanding of the local Alaskan landscape. During this time, Kelly also distinguished herself as a state freestyle motocross champion, showcasing her skills. The exact earnings from these various jobs and her motocross endeavors are not publicly documented, but they would have contributed to her early financial stability.

Kelly’s transition into the trucking industry involved formal training and eventual employment with Carlisle Transportation. Details regarding her initial salary and contract terms with Carlisle Transportation are not publicly accessible. However, it is known that securing a position as a female trucker in a male-dominated industry presented unique challenges and opportunities for earning potential. Specifics about the number of loads she hauled annually or the revenue generated per load are unavailable, limiting a precise calculation of her trucking-related income.

“Ice Road Truckers” and Television Appearances

Lisa Kelly’s prominence rose significantly with her appearances on the reality television series “Ice Road Truckers.” She joined the show during its third season in 2009 and continued to feature in Seasons 4 and 5. Additionally, she participated in the spin-off series “Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads.” While the precise financial compensation for her involvement in these shows is not publicly disclosed, it’s reasonable to assume that her appearances contributed substantially to her $500,000 net worth. Typically, reality television personalities earn a per-episode fee, which can vary greatly depending on the show’s popularity and the individual’s role. Given the popularity of “Ice Road Truckers,” Kelly’s earnings per episode likely ranged from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. However, without access to her contract details, providing a more specific figure is impossible.

Furthermore, the exposure gained from “Ice Road Truckers” may have opened doors to other opportunities, such as endorsements or public speaking engagements. However, information regarding any such supplementary income streams remains limited. Therefore, assessing their contribution to her overall net worth is difficult.

Factors Influencing Net Worth

Several factors could influence Lisa Kelly’s net worth beyond her trucking income and television earnings. These factors include her expense management, investment decisions, and potential revenue streams. Unfortunately, specifics regarding her personal investment portfolio, real estate holdings, or other assets are not publicly available. Therefore, a complete assessment of her financial holdings is not possible.

The cost of living in Alaska, where Kelly resides, is also a factor. While Alaska offers unique opportunities, the cost of transportation, goods, and services can be higher than in other parts of the United States. This higher cost of living may impact the rate at which she can accumulate wealth. Additionally, any significant personal expenses, such as healthcare costs or family-related expenses, would also impact her net worth.

Moreover, the fluctuating nature of the trucking industry, including fuel costs, maintenance expenses, and the availability of loads, can impact her income from year to year. Changes in television production schedules or the cancellation of shows would also affect her income from that source.

Net Worth Components: An Estimated Breakdown

While a precise breakdown is unavailable due to the lack of publicly accessible financial information, a reasonable estimation of Lisa Kelly’s net worth components could be structured as follows:

  • Trucking Income: It is difficult to quantify the earnings from trucking due to variations in contracts and miles driven. However, assuming an average trucker salary range of $40,000 – $80,000 per year over her career, and considering the potential for higher earnings in specialized fields such as ice road trucking, it is plausible that this constitutes a significant portion of her net worth. This could be estimated around $200,000 – $300,000 cumulative over her career.
  • “Ice Road Truckers” Earnings: Reality television earnings are highly variable. Considering the popularity of “Ice Road Truckers,” Lisa Kelly’s estimated earnings could be in the range of $10,000 – $30,000 per episode. Over several seasons and spin-offs, this could contribute another $100,000 – $200,000 to her net worth.
  • Other Assets and Investments: The remaining portion of her net worth likely includes savings, investments, and any other assets she may own. Without specific information, it is challenging to estimate this accurately. It could be speculated that it comprises approximately $50,000 – $100,000.

This estimated breakdown highlights the significant role of both her trucking career and her television appearances in building her current net worth. However, it remains an approximation based on publicly available information and industry averages.

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