Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Ankeny, Iowa (July 2026)
$2,589/week average, $2,000 median for CDL drivers in Ankeny, Iowa (July 2026). Based on 1,432 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,960. Iowa freight is shaped by its agricultural output — corn, soybeans, and ethanol — moving on I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south, with Des Moines serving as the primary distribution crossroads.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Ankeny, Iowa vs Iowa: the numbers that diverge
| Ankeny, Iowa | Iowa | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,589 | $2,272 | +14% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 90% | 82% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Ankeny, Iowa's biggest divergence from Iowa is on average weekly pay, 14% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Ankeny, Iowa
Across active CDL postings in Ankeny, Iowa 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) | $2,240 | $2,050 | 646 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,590 | $1,550 | 450 |
| Owner Operator | $7,188 | $7,500 | 336 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
What Ankeny, Iowa drivers actually run
The route mix in Ankeny, Iowa this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 90% OTR, 0% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Ankeny, Iowa CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Iowa
Iowa freight is shaped by the state's agricultural output — corn, soybeans, ethanol, pork — moving on the I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south corridors. Des Moines serves as the primary distribution crossroads. Cedar Rapids and Davenport (Quad Cities) add manufacturing and food-processing freight. Iowa runs a moderate graduated state income tax; living costs are among the lowest in the Midwest. Winter is severe — wind off the prairie plus drifting snow plus black ice on I-80 makes route timing genuinely consequential from December through March.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Ankeny, Iowa
- Best owner-operator companies in Ankeny, Iowa
- CDL driver salary in Iowa
How we compile these rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated July 2026.