Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Arkansas (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Arkansas CDL drivers earn $2,284 per week on average. The median is $1,850; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 2,032 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,161. 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 May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
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) | $2,112 | $2,000 | 836 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,535 | $1,500 | 773 |
| Owner Operator | $6,990 | $7,000 | 423 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Arkansas drivers actually run
The route mix in Arkansas this month tilts OTR: 14% regional, 83% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Arkansas postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 69% and riders-allowed at 66%.
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 the largest distribution-and-retail logistics flow in the state. Poultry and soybean reefer/dry-van freight is a steady segment from the Ozark region. 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 May 2026.