Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee (May 2026)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, May 2026: CDL drivers average $2,598/week (median $2,000). Based on 1,625 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,125. Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx global air hub and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, while Nashville-area automotive and manufacturing plants drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Chattanooga, Tennessee vs Tennessee: the numbers that diverge
| Chattanooga, Tennessee | Tennessee | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,598 | $2,087 | +24% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 70% | 64% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 76% | +10 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 19% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Chattanooga, Tennessee differs most from Tennessee — 24% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Chattanooga, Tennessee 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) | $2,140 | $2,000 | 725 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,584 | $1,525 | 515 |
| Owner Operator | $7,103 | $7,000 | 385 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Chattanooga, Tennessee
12% of Chattanooga, Tennessee's active CDL postings are regional and 86% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Chattanooga, Tennessee postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Tennessee
Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx Express World Hub — one of the world's largest air cargo hubs by tonnage — and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, with the nightly sort cycle generating enormous regional dispatch demand. Nashville-area automotive (Nissan Smyrna) and manufacturing drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity. Cost of living is below the national average; Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. East TN (Chattanooga, Knoxville) is mountain-adjacent — I-40 east through the Smokies and I-24 across Monteagle pass have real winter weight.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Chattanooga, Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in Tennessee
The methodology behind the 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.