Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Clifton, New Jersey (July 2026)
Clifton, New Jersey CDL drivers average $2,635 per week, median $2,000, as of July 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,360 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,949. New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark / Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities serving the New York metro market.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Clifton, New Jersey differs from the New Jersey baseline
| Clifton, New Jersey | New Jersey | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,635 | $2,381 | +11% |
| Take-truck-home | 83% | 78% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 67% | 62% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 75% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Clifton, New Jersey's biggest divergence from New Jersey is on average weekly pay, 11% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Clifton, New Jersey
Across active CDL postings in Clifton, New Jersey 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) | $2,243 | $2,050 | 620 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,592 | $1,508 | 422 |
| Owner Operator | $7,354 | $7,500 | 318 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
What Clifton, New Jersey drivers actually run
11% of Clifton, New Jersey's active CDL postings are regional and 83% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (6%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Clifton, New Jersey postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 83%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 67% and riders-allowed at 64%.
Driving CDL in New Jersey
New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark-Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities feeding the New York metro market. Drayage out of the port is the largest single CDL segment. Cost of living is high; New Jersey state income tax is high and graduated (peaks above 10%). Bridge tolls and truck-route restrictions on the Garden State Parkway (no trucks allowed) and certain Hudson crossings add planning overhead. NJ Turnpike traffic is consistently in the worst US tier.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Clifton, New Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in Clifton, New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in New Jersey
The methodology behind the rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated July 2026.