Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Brentwood, Tennessee (May 2026)
As of May 2026, CDL drivers in Brentwood, Tennessee are earning a weekly average of $2,574 (median $2,000). Based on 1,660 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,138. Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx global air hub and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, while Nashville-area automotive and manufacturing plants drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Brentwood, Tennessee compares to Tennessee
| Brentwood, Tennessee | Tennessee | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,574 | $2,087 | +23% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 82% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 85% | 76% | +9 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 19% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Brentwood, Tennessee's biggest divergence from Tennessee is on average weekly pay, 23% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Brentwood, Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Brentwood, Tennessee 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) | $2,170 | $2,000 | 715 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,568 | $1,500 | 558 |
| Owner Operator | $7,091 | $7,000 | 387 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Brentwood, Tennessee
12% of Brentwood, Tennessee's active CDL postings are regional and 85% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Across Brentwood, Tennessee CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 88% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Tennessee
Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx Express World Hub — one of the world's largest air cargo hubs by tonnage — and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, with the nightly sort cycle generating enormous regional dispatch demand. Nashville-area automotive (Nissan Smyrna) and manufacturing drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity. Cost of living is below the national average; Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. East TN (Chattanooga, Knoxville) is mountain-adjacent — I-40 east through the Smokies and I-24 across Monteagle pass have real winter weight.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Brentwood, Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Brentwood, Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in Tennessee
How we compile these rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.