Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Bellingham, Washington (May 2026)
CDL drivers in Bellingham, Washington earn $3,129 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $2,200, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 988 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,051. 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 May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Bellingham, Washington differs from the Washington baseline
| Bellingham, Washington | Washington | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,129 | $2,728 | +15% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 81% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Bellingham, Washington's biggest divergence from Washington is on average weekly pay, 15% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Bellingham, Washington
Across active CDL postings in Bellingham, 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) | $2,346 | $2,150 | 430 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,619 | $1,560 | 293 |
| Owner Operator | $7,423 | $7,500 | 265 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Bellingham, Washington drivers actually run
The route mix in Bellingham, Washington this month tilts OTR: 9% regional, 88% OTR, 1% local, 2% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Bellingham, Washington postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
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 on I-90 (Snoqualmie, Stevens) are aggressive winter operational variables; chain laws apply liberally from November through April. 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 Bellingham, Washington
- Best owner-operator companies in Bellingham, Washington
- CDL driver salary in Washington
The methodology behind the rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.