Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia (May 2026)
Through May 2026, the average CDL driver in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia earns $2,584 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,658 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,078. Georgia freight is anchored by the Port of Savannah — a top-tier US container gateway — and the Atlanta intermodal crossroads at I-75 / I-85 / I-20, making it the dominant Southeast distribution hub.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Athens-Clarke County, Georgia compares to Georgia
| Athens-Clarke County, Georgia | Georgia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,584 | $2,237 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 65% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 76% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Athens-Clarke County, Georgia's biggest divergence from Georgia is on average weekly pay, 16% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
Across active CDL postings in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia 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) | $2,064 | $1,975 | 772 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,583 | $1,517 | 498 |
| Owner Operator | $7,101 | $7,000 | 388 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Athens-Clarke County, Georgia drivers actually run
The route mix in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia this month tilts OTR: 14% regional, 84% OTR, 1% local, 2% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Georgia
Georgia anchors the Southeast freight network through the Port of Savannah (a top-tier East Coast container gateway) and the Atlanta intermodal crossroads at I-75 / I-85 / I-20. Atlanta traffic is consistently top-tier US congestion — drivers based here either learn the off-peak windows or take a real income hit. Outside the metro, Georgia is one of the easier driving states: flat, mostly forgiving weather, no real mountain work. Reefer pulling poultry out of north-central Georgia is a steady regional segment. State income tax is moderate; cost of living statewide is below the national average. The Port of Savannah lanes are a steady driver-pay segment.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
- Best owner-operator companies in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
- CDL driver salary in Georgia
How we compile these rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated May 2026.