Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Concord, North Carolina (May 2026)
Concord, North Carolina CDL drivers: $2,573 average weekly pay, $2,000 median (May 2026). Based on 1,595 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,068. North Carolina freight moves on I-85 through the Charlotte-to-Raleigh-Durham manufacturing corridor and I-95 north-south, with Port of Wilmington handling containerized exports and a large furniture and textiles production base.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Concord, North Carolina compares to North Carolina
| Concord, North Carolina | North Carolina | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,573 | $2,219 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 82% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 65% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 76% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Concord, North Carolina sits 16% above the North Carolina baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Concord, North Carolina
Across active CDL postings in Concord, North Carolina 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) | $2,078 | $2,000 | 715 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,577 | $1,525 | 509 |
| Owner Operator | $7,104 | $7,000 | 371 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Concord, North Carolina
Of active CDL postings in Concord, North Carolina this month, 13% are regional and 84% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 3%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Concord, North Carolina postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 87%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in North Carolina
North Carolina CDL work spans a broad mix — port-and-container out of Wilmington and Morehead City, manufacturing in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham), distribution and textile freight around Charlotte, and tobacco / agricultural loads from the eastern half of the state. The driver-experience profile is generally favorable: moderate winters, no significant mountain work outside the western tip, and a cost of living well below the national average even in the metro areas. State income tax is flat and moderate. I-85 between Greensboro and Charlotte is one of the busier Southeast freight lanes; weekday congestion through Greensboro is a planning variable. NC is one of the better states for a new CDL driver to build experience without immediately running mountains or severe weather.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Concord, North Carolina
- Best owner-operator companies in Concord, North Carolina
- CDL driver salary in North Carolina
The methodology behind the rankings
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated May 2026.