Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Baytown, Texas (May 2026)
In Baytown, Texas as of May 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,612 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,559 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,974. Texas freight moves on I-10 / I-35 / I-20 corridors connecting Gulf Coast energy and Port of Houston to border crossings at Laredo and El Paso — two of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — and large retail and manufacturing distribution inland.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Baytown, Texas vs Texas: the numbers that diverge
| Baytown, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,612 | $2,223 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 86% | 79% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 66% | 60% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 75% | +9 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Baytown, Texas's biggest divergence from Texas is on average weekly pay, 17% above the state baseline.
Baytown, Texas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Baytown, Texas 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) | $2,205 | $2,000 | 688 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,600 | $1,525 | 496 |
| Owner Operator | $7,095 | $7,000 | 375 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Baytown, Texas drivers actually run
12% of Baytown, Texas's active CDL postings are regional and 84% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (4%).
Across Baytown, Texas CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 66% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is the largest CDL market in the country and the deepest mix of lane types. Cross-border work out of Laredo and El Paso, oil-field service in the Permian Basin, dedicated retail out of Dallas and Houston, and reefer pulling produce out of the Rio Grande Valley all run from different parts of the state — and they pay very differently. Texas has favorable trucking regulations and no state income tax, which is real money on the back end. The summer heat is the operational variable most newcomers underestimate; equipment, hours, and load-securing all behave differently when ambient temps hit 110°F.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Baytown, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Baytown, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
Where this data comes from
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated May 2026.