Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Bellingham, Washington (November 2026)
CDL drivers in Bellingham, Washington earn $2,990 per week on average through November 2026. The median is $2,250, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,007 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,012. 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
- average sign-on bonus fell by 2.2% ($2,057 → $2,012).
Where Bellingham, Washington differs from the Washington baseline
| Bellingham, Washington | Washington | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,990 | $2,579 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 6% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Bellingham, Washington's biggest divergence from Washington is on average weekly pay, 16% 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) | $2,400 | $2,250 | 459 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,626 | $1,560 | 291 |
| Owner Operator | $7,380 | $7,500 | 257 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Bellingham, Washington drivers actually run
The route mix in Bellingham, Washington this month tilts OTR: 9% regional, 89% OTR, 1% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Bellingham, Washington postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 67%.
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 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 November 2026.