Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Davenport, Iowa (November 2026)
Through November 2026, Davenport, Iowa CDL drivers earn $2,511 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,533 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,989. Iowa freight is shaped by its agricultural output — corn, soybeans, and ethanol — moving on I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south, with Des Moines serving as the primary distribution crossroads.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Davenport, Iowa vs Iowa: the numbers that diverge
| Davenport, Iowa | Iowa | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,511 | $2,279 | +10% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 81% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Davenport, Iowa's biggest divergence from Iowa is on average weekly pay, 10% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Davenport, Iowa
Across active CDL postings in Davenport, Iowa 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) | $2,282 | $2,100 | 700 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,571 | $1,535 | 483 |
| Owner Operator | $7,185 | $7,375 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Davenport, Iowa
Of active CDL postings in Davenport, Iowa this month, 11% are regional and 88% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Davenport, Iowa postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Iowa
Iowa freight is shaped by the state's agricultural output — corn, soybeans, ethanol, pork — moving on the I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south corridors. Des Moines serves as the primary distribution crossroads. Cedar Rapids and Davenport (Quad Cities) add manufacturing and food-processing freight. Iowa runs a moderate flat state income tax; living costs are among the lowest in the Midwest. Winter is severe — wind off the prairie plus drifting snow plus black ice on I-80 makes route timing genuinely consequential from December through March.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Davenport, Iowa
- Best owner-operator companies in Davenport, Iowa
- CDL driver salary in Iowa
How we compile these rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated November 2026.