Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Boston, Massachusetts (November 2026)
Boston, Massachusetts's CDL drivers earn $2,873 per week on average, $2,150 median, as of November 2026. Based on 1,165 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,969. Boston freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 metro grid, with the Port of Boston handling bulk and break-bulk cargo and a major biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster requiring cold-chain and hazmat lanes.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Where Boston, Massachusetts differs from the Massachusetts baseline
| Boston, Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,873 | $2,572 | +12% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Boston, Massachusetts differs most from Massachusetts — 12% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Boston, Massachusetts
Across active CDL postings in Boston, Massachusetts 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) | $2,368 | $2,150 | 536 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,605 | $1,600 | 333 |
| Owner Operator | $7,374 | $7,500 | 296 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Boston, Massachusetts drivers actually run
The route mix in Boston, Massachusetts this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 88% OTR, 2% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Boston, Massachusetts postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 86%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 66%.
Driving CDL in Boston
Boston CDL work runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 metro grid. Port of Boston handles bulk and container cargo; biotech and pharmaceutical cold-chain serves the Cambridge / Boston / Worcester cluster. Big Dig tunnel restrictions affect routing. Boston congestion is in the worst US tier. Cost of living is among the highest in the country.
Driving CDL in Massachusetts
Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 grid through Boston, with the Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo. A dense biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster around Cambridge / Boston / Worcester requires cold-chain and hazmat-eligible lanes. The Big Dig tunnels have truck-height and hazmat restrictions worth checking before routing. Boston congestion is a recurring truck bottleneck. Cost of living is among the highest nationally. Massachusetts has a moderate flat state income tax with an added surtax on very high incomes (not relevant for most drivers).
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Boston, Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in Boston, Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in Massachusetts
The methodology behind the rankings
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated November 2026.