Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Arizona (November 2026)
In Arizona as of November 2026, the average weekly CDL pay is $2,520 with a median of $2,000. Both figures are computed against currently-active job postings, not historical surveys. Based on 1,373 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,092. Arizona sits on the I-10 east-west corridor and the I-19 border route to Nogales, with major freight flows through Phoenix and Tucson and growing semiconductor manufacturing in the Phoenix metro.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 3.3% ($2,605 → $2,520).
How CDL pay breaks down in Arizona
Across active CDL postings in Arizona 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) | $2,328 | $2,137 | 604 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,624 | $1,600 | 464 |
| Owner Operator | $7,250 | $7,500 | 305 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Arizona
11% of Arizona's active CDL postings are regional and 86% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Arizona postings; dedicated routes at 31%; take-truck-home at 84%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 64%.
Driving CDL in Arizona
Arizona freight runs on the I-19 / I-10 corridor from the Nogales border crossing — one of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — through Tucson and Phoenix metro distribution. Semiconductor fabs in the Phoenix metro add a high-value freight segment on top of the regional distribution base. Summer heat is the dominant operational variable: ambient temperatures above 110°F change how equipment behaves and how long you can run before forced cooling stops. Arizona has a low flat state income tax.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Arizona
- Best owner-operator companies in Arizona
- CDL driver salary in the United States
The methodology behind the rankings
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated November 2026.