Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Arkansas (November 2026)
Through November 2026, Arkansas CDL drivers earn $2,257 per week on average. The median is $1,850; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 2,058 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,066. Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and I-55 / I-30 corridors, with massive retail distribution demand driven by Walmart's Bentonville headquarters and heavy agricultural shipments of rice, poultry, and soybeans.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
What CDL drivers are earning across Arkansas
Across active CDL postings in Arkansas 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) | $2,211 | $2,000 | 878 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,557 | $1,500 | 770 |
| Owner Operator | $6,950 | $7,000 | 410 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Arkansas drivers actually run
The route mix in Arkansas this month tilts OTR: 15% regional, 83% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Arkansas postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 67% and riders-allowed at 65%.
Driving CDL in Arkansas
Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and the I-30 / I-55 corridors, with Walmart's Bentonville headquarters anchoring a major distribution-and-retail logistics flow in the state. Poultry reefer freight from the Ozarks and row-crop freight from the Delta are steady segments. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, which makes the comp math work well for drivers based here. Arkansas has a low graduated state income tax. I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock is one of the busier mid-South freight lanes.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Arkansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Arkansas
- CDL driver salary in the United States
How we compile these rankings
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 November 2026.