Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Altoona, Pennsylvania (May 2026)
Through May 2026, the average CDL driver in Altoona, Pennsylvania earns $2,789 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,429 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,146. Pennsylvania freight flows on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 / I-78 / I-80) through the state's industrial core, with Port of Philadelphia handling petroleum and bulk cargo and a dense manufacturing base in Pittsburgh and the Lehigh Valley.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Altoona, Pennsylvania compares to Pennsylvania
| Altoona, Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,789 | $2,132 | +31% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 77% | +11 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 61% | +9 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 59% | +9 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 69% | +17 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 9% | -8 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 19% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Altoona, Pennsylvania sits 31% above the Pennsylvania baseline.
Altoona, Pennsylvania CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Altoona, Pennsylvania this month, pay varies meaningfully by hiring type. The breakdown below shows the average and median weekly pay for each.
| Hiring type | Avg/wk | Median/wk | Active postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,238 | $2,050 | 632 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,583 | $1,500 | 447 |
| Owner Operator | $7,218 | $7,250 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Altoona, Pennsylvania
12% of Altoona, Pennsylvania's active CDL postings are regional and 86% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Altoona, Pennsylvania postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the most operationally complex CDL markets in the country. The PA Turnpike runs east-west across the state and serves much of the Northeast freight backbone, but the tolls add up — most fleets factor PA toll cost into route decisions. Winter in the Allegheny passes is the real operational variable: ice and snow on I-80 between Bloomsburg and DuBois is a frequent issue from December through March. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia anchor very different lane profiles — Pittsburgh leans industrial and steel, Philadelphia leans port and pharmaceutical. PA has a low flat state income tax compared to neighboring NY and NJ.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Altoona, Pennsylvania
- Best owner-operator companies in Altoona, Pennsylvania
- CDL driver salary in Pennsylvania
Where this data comes from
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated May 2026.