Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Burlington, North Carolina (July 2026)
Burlington, North Carolina, July 2026: CDL drivers average $2,596/week (median $2,000). Based on 1,513 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,972. North Carolina freight moves on I-85 through the Charlotte-to-Raleigh-Durham manufacturing corridor and I-95 north-south, with Port of Wilmington handling containerized exports and a large furniture and textiles production base.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Burlington, North Carolina differs from the North Carolina baseline
| Burlington, North Carolina | North Carolina | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,596 | $2,178 | +19% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 81% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 65% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 77% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Burlington, North Carolina differs most from North Carolina — 19% above statewide.
Burlington, North Carolina CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Burlington, North Carolina 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) | $2,210 | $2,000 | 695 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,593 | $1,500 | 462 |
| Owner Operator | $7,136 | $7,000 | 356 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Burlington, North Carolina
13% of Burlington, North Carolina's active CDL postings are regional and 86% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 3% of Burlington, North Carolina postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 87%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in North Carolina
North Carolina CDL work spans a broad mix — port-and-container out of Wilmington and Morehead City, manufacturing in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham), distribution and textile freight around Charlotte, and tobacco / agricultural loads from the eastern half of the state. The driver-experience profile is generally favorable: moderate winters, no significant mountain work outside the western tip, and a cost of living well below the national average even in the metro areas. State income tax is flat and moderate. I-85 between Greensboro and Charlotte is one of the busier Southeast freight lanes; weekday congestion through Greensboro is a planning variable. NC is one of the better states for a new CDL driver to build experience without immediately running mountains or severe weather.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Burlington, North Carolina
- Best owner-operator companies in Burlington, North Carolina
- CDL driver salary in North Carolina
Where this data comes from
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 July 2026.