Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Bradenton, Florida (November 2026)
Bradenton, Florida, November 2026: CDL drivers average $2,684/week (median $2,100). Based on 1,305 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,983. Florida trucking runs on I-95 / I-75 north-south spines and the I-4 Tampa-Orlando-Daytona cross, with Port of Miami and Port of Jacksonville as major gateways alongside heavy citrus and produce agriculture freight.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 2% ($2,740 → $2,684).
- median weekly pay fell by 2.3% ($2,150 → $2,100).
Where Bradenton, Florida differs from the Florida baseline
| Bradenton, Florida | Florida | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,684 | $2,355 | +14% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Bradenton, Florida differs most from Florida — 14% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Bradenton, Florida
Across active CDL postings in Bradenton, Florida 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) | $2,320 | $2,150 | 638 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,636 | $1,600 | 349 |
| Owner Operator | $7,331 | $7,500 | 318 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Bradenton, Florida
The route mix in Bradenton, Florida this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 89% OTR, 1% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Bradenton, Florida postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 66%.
Driving CDL in Florida
Florida CDL work splits cleanly between coastal port-and-tourism freight (Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Port Everglades) and Central Florida last-mile distribution. The hurricane season — June through November — drives both stress and opportunity: insurance rates climb, freight rates spike around storm-recovery windows, and shutdown days are a real income variable. Florida has no state income tax. Miami-area I-95 is among the more congested US corridors, so HOS planning around peak commute windows matters more here than in most states. Reefer and produce work pays well; OTR pulling out of the state is steady year-round.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Bradenton, Florida
- Best owner-operator companies in Bradenton, Florida
- CDL driver salary in Florida
How we compile these 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.