Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (May 2026)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa's CDL drivers earn $2,607 per week on average, $2,000 median, as of May 2026. Based on 1,483 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,072. Iowa freight is shaped by its agricultural output — corn, soybeans, and ethanol — moving on I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south, with Des Moines serving as the primary distribution crossroads.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Cedar Rapids, Iowa differs from the Iowa baseline
| Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Iowa | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,607 | $2,284 | +14% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Cedar Rapids, Iowa's biggest divergence from Iowa is on average weekly pay, 14% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Across active CDL postings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 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) | $2,230 | $2,035 | 661 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,568 | $1,550 | 469 |
| Owner Operator | $7,125 | $7,250 | 353 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Cedar Rapids, Iowa drivers actually run
The route mix in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 89% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Cedar Rapids, Iowa postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 72% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Iowa
Iowa freight is shaped by the state's agricultural output — corn, soybeans, ethanol, pork — moving on the I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south corridors. Des Moines serves as the primary distribution crossroads. Cedar Rapids and Davenport (Quad Cities) add manufacturing and food-processing freight. Iowa runs a moderate graduated state income tax; living costs are among the lowest in the Midwest. Winter is severe — wind off the prairie plus drifting snow plus black ice on I-80 makes route timing genuinely consequential from December through March.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Best owner-operator companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- CDL driver salary in Iowa
How we compile these rankings
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 May 2026.