Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Bartlett, Illinois (November 2026)
In Bartlett, Illinois as of November 2026, the average weekly CDL pay is $2,274 with a median of $1,900. Both figures are computed against currently-active job postings, not historical surveys. Based on 1,865 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,110. Illinois anchors the US rail and truck network through Chicago, the largest intermodal hub in North America, with I-80 / I-90 / I-55 feeding a dense concentration of manufacturing, warehousing, and cold-chain freight.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
How Bartlett, Illinois compares to Illinois
| Bartlett, Illinois | Illinois | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,274 | $2,020 | +13% |
| Take-truck-home | 84% | 79% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 79% | 71% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Bartlett, Illinois's biggest divergence from Illinois is on average weekly pay, 13% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Bartlett, Illinois
Across active CDL postings in Bartlett, Illinois 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) | $2,244 | $2,050 | 822 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,519 | $1,500 | 658 |
| Owner Operator | $7,014 | $7,000 | 385 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Bartlett, Illinois drivers actually run
The route mix in Bartlett, Illinois this month tilts OTR: 15% regional, 79% OTR, 5% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 3% of Bartlett, Illinois postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 84%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 66% and riders-allowed at 64%.
Driving CDL in Illinois
Illinois is one of the most strategically located CDL states — Chicago is the largest US intermodal rail hub, so a huge percentage of national freight passes through. The metro lanes pay well but congestion on I-80, I-90, and I-294 is consistent enough to be a real income variable. Outside the Chicago metro, downstate Illinois looks much more like Iowa or Indiana — agricultural freight, less density, easier driving. State income tax is moderate. The winter operational profile is severe: lake-effect snow, road salt, and the freezing-thawing cycle eat equipment faster than most southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Bartlett, Illinois
- Best owner-operator companies in Bartlett, Illinois
- CDL driver salary in Illinois
The methodology behind the rankings
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated November 2026.