Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Burlington, Vermont (November 2026)
Burlington, Vermont CDL drivers average $3,030 per week, median $2,250, as of November 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,098 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,926. Burlington is a key freight point on I-89 near Lake Champlain, with dairy products, specialty food, and maple-industry loads alongside distribution for the state's northern retail corridor.
What changed in November 2026
- average sign-on bonus rose by 1% ($1,906 → $1,926).
Burlington, Vermont vs Vermont: the numbers that diverge
| Burlington, Vermont | Vermont | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,030 | $2,562 | +18% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 91% | 86% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Burlington, Vermont's biggest divergence from Vermont is on average weekly pay, 18% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Burlington, Vermont
Across active CDL postings in Burlington, Vermont 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) | $2,384 | $2,172 | 527 |
| Owner Operator | $7,412 | $7,500 | 290 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,634 | $1,650 | 281 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Burlington, Vermont
Of active CDL postings in Burlington, Vermont this month, 8% are regional and 91% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Across Burlington, Vermont CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Burlington
Burlington anchors northwestern Vermont on I-89. Dairy distribution, specialty food (Ben & Jerry's, Cabot), and cross-border trade to Quebec drive freight. Winter is long and severe; the lake-side metro gets significant snow. Cost of living is moderate to high. The state is small but mountainous.
Driving CDL in Vermont
Vermont freight runs on I-89 and I-91 through a small market with low population density. Dairy products, specialty food manufacturing (Ben & Jerry's, Cabot, others), and building materials comprise most loads. Seasonal agriculture (apples, maple syrup in spring) adds volume. Cost of living is moderate to high; Vermont has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is long and severe; the state's lane network is narrower and more topographically constrained than New England neighbors. Cross-border trade with Quebec adds international-permitting consideration for some lanes.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Burlington, Vermont
- Best owner-operator companies in Burlington, Vermont
- CDL driver salary in Vermont
The methodology behind the rankings
Compensation is the largest single weight at 30% — pay percentile, sign-on bonus, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement cadence. FMCSA safety contributes 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions with unsafe-driving and hours-of-service weighted 2× heavier. Benefits contribute 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator and 1099 carriers. Operational performance — application responsiveness and fleet scale — contributes 20%. Updated November 2026.