Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Conway, Arkansas (May 2026)
In Conway, Arkansas as of May 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,625 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,478 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,075. Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and I-55 / I-30 corridors, with massive retail distribution demand driven by Walmart's Bentonville headquarters and heavy agricultural shipments of rice, poultry, and soybeans.
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 Conway, Arkansas compares to Arkansas
| Conway, Arkansas | Arkansas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,625 | $2,284 | +15% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Conway, Arkansas sits 15% above the Arkansas baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Conway, Arkansas
Across active CDL postings in Conway, Arkansas 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) | $2,221 | $2,000 | 661 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,604 | $1,567 | 455 |
| Owner Operator | $7,164 | $7,000 | 362 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Conway, Arkansas drivers actually run
The route mix in Conway, Arkansas this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 89% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Conway, Arkansas CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 73% pet-friendly, 71% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Arkansas
Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and the I-30 / I-55 corridors, with Walmart's Bentonville headquarters anchoring the largest distribution-and-retail logistics flow in the state. Poultry and soybean reefer/dry-van freight is a steady segment from the Ozark region. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, which makes the comp math work well for drivers based here. Arkansas has a low graduated state income tax. I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock is one of the busier mid-South freight lanes.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Conway, Arkansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Conway, Arkansas
- CDL driver salary in Arkansas
How we compile these rankings
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated May 2026.