Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Cape Girardeau, Missouri (May 2026)
Through May 2026, the average CDL driver in Cape Girardeau, Missouri earns $2,631 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,570 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,121. Missouri freight is shaped by the St. Louis and Kansas City hubs anchoring I-70 / I-44 / I-55 corridors, with the Mississippi and Missouri rivers providing barge access for agricultural and bulk commodity shipments.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri vs Missouri: the numbers that diverge
| Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Missouri | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,631 | $2,142 | +23% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 84% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 70% | 65% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 79% | +9 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 16% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Cape Girardeau, Missouri differs most from Missouri — 23% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Across active CDL postings in Cape Girardeau, Missouri 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) | $2,217 | $2,000 | 689 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,588 | $1,525 | 497 |
| Owner Operator | $7,090 | $7,000 | 384 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Cape Girardeau, Missouri drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Cape Girardeau, Missouri this month, 11% are regional and 88% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Across Cape Girardeau, Missouri CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Missouri
Missouri freight is shaped by the St. Louis and Kansas City hubs anchoring the I-70 / I-44 / I-55 corridors. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers provide barge access for agricultural and bulk commodity transfers. St. Louis is one of the older US freight crossroads — the rail-truck interchange there is dense and complicated. Living costs sit comfortably below the national average; Missouri has a low-to-moderate graduated state income tax. Tornado season (March-June) shapes spring dispatch in central and southern MO.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Best owner-operator companies in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- CDL driver salary in Missouri
The methodology behind the rankings
Compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance — weighted 30, 25, 25, and 20 percent respectively. Compensation extends beyond headline pay to include sign-on bonus tier and settlement cadence. Benefits scoring differs by hiring type because the perks that matter to a W2 driver and a contractor are not the same. Updated May 2026.