Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Bristol, Connecticut (May 2026)
Bristol, Connecticut's CDL drivers earn $2,974 per week on average, $2,100 median, as of May 2026. Based on 1,216 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,027. Connecticut freight moves on I-95 and I-91 / I-84 connecting to the Northeast corridor, with Port of New Haven handling petroleum and heating oil (with breakbulk as a secondary segment) and a dense concentration of aerospace and defense manufacturing.
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 Bristol, Connecticut compares to Connecticut
| Bristol, Connecticut | Connecticut | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,974 | $2,563 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 81% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 80% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Bristol, Connecticut's biggest divergence from Connecticut is on average weekly pay, 16% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Bristol, Connecticut
Across active CDL postings in Bristol, Connecticut 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) | $2,236 | $2,050 | 550 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,594 | $1,600 | 350 |
| Owner Operator | $7,400 | $7,500 | 316 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Bristol, Connecticut drivers actually run
The route mix in Bristol, Connecticut this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 88% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Bristol, Connecticut CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Connecticut
Connecticut CDL work is mostly last-mile and short-haul on the dense I-95 / I-91 / I-84 metro grid feeding the Northeast corridor. The Port of New Haven handles breakbulk; aerospace and defense manufacturing (Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Sikorsky in Stratford, plus RTX-related supplier networks) generate high-value freight. Cost of living is among the highest in the country and state income tax is high. Many drivers based here run out-of-state lanes to keep the math working. Truck-route restrictions on parkways and dense urban congestion make CT one of the higher-overhead states to operate in.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Bristol, Connecticut
- Best owner-operator companies in Bristol, Connecticut
- CDL driver salary in Connecticut
How we compile these rankings
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated May 2026.