Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Appleton, Wisconsin (May 2026)
$2,639/week average, $2,000 median for CDL drivers in Appleton, Wisconsin (May 2026). Based on 1,440 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,056. Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison, with dairy and food processing as the dominant outbound commodity and paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generating consistent industrial loads.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Appleton, Wisconsin differs from the Wisconsin baseline
| Appleton, Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,639 | $2,211 | +19% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 65% | +7 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 70% | 63% | +7 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 75% | +13 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 7% | -6 pt |
| Regional routes | 10% | 16% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Appleton, Wisconsin's biggest divergence from Wisconsin is on average weekly pay, 19% above the state baseline.
Appleton, Wisconsin CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Appleton, Wisconsin 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) | $2,237 | $2,042 | 633 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,561 | $1,500 | 457 |
| Owner Operator | $7,228 | $7,500 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Appleton, Wisconsin drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Appleton, Wisconsin this month, 10% are regional and 88% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 2%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Appleton, Wisconsin postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 72% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Wisconsin
Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison. Dairy and food processing are dominant outbound commodities — Wisconsin's reefer freight is a national-scale segment. Paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generates consistent industrial loads. Great Lakes ports at Green Bay and Superior handle bulk cargo. Cost of living is moderate. Wisconsin has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is severe — lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the eastern third of the state; ice and salt corrosion eat equipment faster than southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Appleton, Wisconsin
- Best owner-operator companies in Appleton, Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.