Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Amarillo, Texas (November 2026)
Amarillo, Texas CDL drivers average $2,578 per week, median $2,036, as of November 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,453 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,920. Texas freight moves on I-10 / I-35 / I-20 corridors connecting Gulf Coast energy and Port of Houston to border crossings at Laredo and El Paso — two of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — and large retail and manufacturing distribution inland.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Amarillo, Texas vs Texas: the numbers that diverge
| Amarillo, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,578 | $2,190 | +18% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 78% | +10 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 62% | +9 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 59% | +9 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 76% | +13 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 7% | -6 pt |
| Regional routes | 10% | 15% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Amarillo, Texas differs most from Texas — 18% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Amarillo, Texas
Across active CDL postings in Amarillo, Texas 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) | $2,342 | $2,137 | 674 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,627 | $1,600 | 436 |
| Owner Operator | $7,190 | $7,250 | 343 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Amarillo, Texas drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Amarillo, Texas this month, 10% are regional and 89% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Amarillo, Texas postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is one of the largest CDL markets in the country and the deepest mix of lane types. Cross-border work out of Laredo and El Paso, oil-field service in the Permian Basin, dedicated retail out of Dallas and Houston, and reefer pulling produce out of the Rio Grande Valley all run from different parts of the state — and they pay very differently. Texas has no state income tax, which is real money on the back end. The summer heat is the operational variable most newcomers underestimate; equipment, hours, and load-securing all behave differently when ambient temps hit 110°F.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Amarillo, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Amarillo, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
The methodology behind the rankings
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 November 2026.