Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Baltimore, Maryland (May 2026)
Baltimore, Maryland's CDL drivers earn $2,806 per week on average, $2,050 median, as of May 2026. Based on 1,374 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 29% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,988. Baltimore is a major east-coast container port (Port of Baltimore), specialising in roll-on/roll-off vehicle freight. I-95 and I-695 form the regional freight beltway connecting mid-Atlantic manufacturing and DC-metro distribution.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Baltimore, Maryland vs Maryland: the numbers that diverge
| Baltimore, Maryland | Maryland | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,806 | $2,401 | +17% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 77% | +7 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 16% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Baltimore, Maryland sits 17% above the Maryland baseline.
Baltimore, Maryland CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Baltimore, Maryland 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) | $2,220 | $2,050 | 623 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,579 | $1,542 | 407 |
| Owner Operator | $7,244 | $7,250 | 344 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Baltimore, Maryland
11% of Baltimore, Maryland's active CDL postings are regional and 84% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (5%).
Across Baltimore, Maryland CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 68% pet-friendly, 66% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Maryland
Maryland freight flows through the Port of Baltimore — a major East Coast container and auto-import port (recovering from the 2024 Key Bridge collapse) — and along the I-95 / I-70 / I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) corridor connecting mid-Atlantic manufacturing and DC-metro distribution. The Beltway is consistently top-tier in US congestion. Cost of living is high and state income tax is moderate-to-high depending on county add-ons. Eastern Shore freight (poultry processing especially) is a distinct regional segment. The Bay Bridge wind restrictions and weight rules complicate Eastern Shore route timing.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Baltimore, Maryland
- Best owner-operator companies in Baltimore, Maryland
- CDL driver salary in Maryland
Where this data comes from
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.