Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Dearborn Heights, Michigan (November 2026)
In Dearborn Heights, Michigan as of November 2026, the average weekly CDL pay is $2,392 with a median of $1,975. Both figures are computed against currently-active job postings, not historical surveys. Based on 1,584 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,914. Michigan is the US automotive manufacturing heartland, with Detroit and the I-94 / I-75 corridor carrying dense parts-and-assembly flows and Great Lakes ports at Detroit, Muskegon, and Sault Ste. Marie handling bulk commodities.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Where Dearborn Heights, Michigan differs from the Michigan baseline
| Dearborn Heights, Michigan | Michigan | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,392 | $2,109 | +13% |
| Take-truck-home | 85% | 80% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 66% | 61% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 82% | 72% | +10 pt |
| Local routes | 3% | 8% | -5 pt |
| Regional routes | 14% | 19% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Dearborn Heights, Michigan's biggest divergence from Michigan is on average weekly pay, 13% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Across active CDL postings in Dearborn Heights, Michigan 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) | $2,259 | $2,100 | 704 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,551 | $1,500 | 530 |
| Owner Operator | $7,152 | $7,075 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Dearborn Heights, Michigan
The route mix in Dearborn Heights, Michigan this month tilts OTR: 14% regional, 82% OTR, 3% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Dearborn Heights, Michigan CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 29% dedicated, 85% take-truck-home, 68% pet-friendly, 66% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Michigan
Michigan is the US automotive heartland — a huge share of CDL work in the state is tied to auto-parts inbound or finished-vehicle outbound. Detroit / Dearborn / Flint lanes have a distinctive operational rhythm that follows plant production schedules, including summer shutdown weeks when freight volume often drops. Winter is the dominant operational variable: lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan can shut down west-side runs, and the freeze-thaw cycle on I-94, I-75, and I-96 means road surfaces are rough year-round. State income tax is flat and moderate. The Upper Peninsula is genuinely remote — long stretches with no fuel stops or services — and most newer drivers shouldn't take UP loads until they've learned the territory.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Dearborn Heights, Michigan
- Best owner-operator companies in Dearborn Heights, Michigan
- CDL driver salary in Michigan
The methodology behind the rankings
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated November 2026.