Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Bellevue, Washington (November 2026)
Bellevue, Washington's CDL drivers earn $2,861 per week on average, $2,175 median, as of November 2026. Based on 1,067 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,016. Washington freight flows through the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma — a major West Coast container complex — with I-5 north-south and I-90 east-west carrying forest-products, agricultural exports from the Yakima Valley, and technology freight.
What changed in November 2026
- median weekly pay rose by 1.2% ($2,150 → $2,175).
How Bellevue, Washington compares to Washington
| Bellevue, Washington | Washington | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,861 | $2,579 | +11% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 81% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Bellevue, Washington differs most from Washington — 11% above statewide.
Bellevue, Washington CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Bellevue, Washington 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) | $2,394 | $2,212 | 484 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,612 | $1,525 | 315 |
| Owner Operator | $7,356 | $7,500 | 268 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Bellevue, Washington drivers actually run
9% of Bellevue, Washington's active CDL postings are regional and 87% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (4%).
Across Bellevue, Washington CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 29% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 66% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Washington
Washington freight flows through the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma — a major West Coast container complex — with I-5 north-south and I-90 east-west carrying forest-products freight, agricultural exports from the Yakima Valley (apples, hops, wine grapes), and technology-sector loads. Mountain passes (Snoqualmie on I-90, Stevens on US-2) are aggressive winter operational variables; chain laws apply liberally from November through March (commercial vehicles must carry chains Nov 1 to Apr 1). Cost of living is high in the Puget Sound metros. Washington has no state income tax — meaningful comp pull for drivers based here.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Bellevue, Washington
- Best owner-operator companies in Bellevue, Washington
- CDL driver salary in Washington
How we compile these rankings
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated November 2026.