Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Clarksville, Tennessee (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Clarksville, Tennessee CDL drivers earn $2,600 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,646 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,178. 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.
Clarksville, Tennessee vs Tennessee: the numbers that diverge
| Clarksville, Tennessee | Tennessee | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,600 | $2,089 | +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 Clarksville, Tennessee differs most from Tennessee — 24% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Clarksville, Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Clarksville, 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) | $2,171 | $2,000 | 715 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,580 | $1,500 | 540 |
| Owner Operator | $7,072 | $7,000 | 391 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Clarksville, Tennessee
12% of Clarksville, Tennessee's active CDL postings are regional and 86% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Across Clarksville, Tennessee CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
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 Clarksville, Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Clarksville, Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in Tennessee
How we compile these rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.