Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Cleveland, Tennessee (May 2026)
$2,596/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Cleveland, Tennessee as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,000, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,635 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,126. 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.
Where Cleveland, Tennessee differs from the Tennessee baseline
| Cleveland, Tennessee | Tennessee | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,596 | $2,087 | +24% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 66% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +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 Cleveland, Tennessee differs most from Tennessee — 24% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Cleveland, Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Cleveland, 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) | $2,141 | $2,000 | 726 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,586 | $1,521 | 522 |
| Owner Operator | $7,084 | $7,000 | 387 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Cleveland, Tennessee
The route mix in Cleveland, Tennessee this month tilts OTR: 12% regional, 86% OTR, 1% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Cleveland, Tennessee CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 69% 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 Cleveland, Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Cleveland, Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in Tennessee
The methodology behind the rankings
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.