Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Clifton, New Jersey (November 2026)
Clifton, New Jersey CDL drivers average $2,613 per week, median $2,000, as of November 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,390 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,976. 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 November 2026
- average sign-on bonus rose by 1.5% ($1,946 → $1,976).
Where Clifton, New Jersey differs from the New Jersey baseline
| Clifton, New Jersey | New Jersey | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,613 | $2,323 | +12% |
| Take-truck-home | 83% | 78% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 66% | 61% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 74% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Clifton, New Jersey's biggest divergence from New Jersey is on average weekly pay, 12% 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) | $2,296 | $2,100 | 647 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,595 | $1,550 | 425 |
| Owner Operator | $7,298 | $7,500 | 318 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Clifton, New Jersey drivers actually run
12% of Clifton, New Jersey's active CDL postings are regional and 83% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (5%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Clifton, New Jersey postings; dedicated routes at 31%; take-truck-home at 83%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 66% 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 a major CDL segment. Cost of living is high; New Jersey state income tax is high and graduated (peaks above 10%). Bridge and tunnel tolls, truck-route restrictions on the Garden State Parkway (trucks over 10,000 lb are barred north of Exit 105), and limits on certain Hudson crossings add planning overhead. Traffic around Fort Lee and the George Washington Bridge (I-95) is among the worst in the country.
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 November 2026.