Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia (November 2026)
Through November 2026, the average CDL driver in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia earns $2,506 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,667 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,996. 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 November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
How Athens-Clarke County, Georgia compares to Georgia
| Athens-Clarke County, Georgia | Georgia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,506 | $2,212 | +13% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 67% | 62% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 76% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Athens-Clarke County, Georgia's biggest divergence from Georgia is on average weekly pay, 13% 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) | $2,202 | $2,000 | 796 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,592 | $1,532 | 500 |
| Owner Operator | $7,141 | $7,000 | 371 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 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, 1% 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 69% and riders-allowed at 67%.
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, little mountain work outside the north Georgia corridors. 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 November 2026.