Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Delaware (November 2026)
$2,484/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Delaware as of November 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,000, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,617 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 29% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,052. Delaware sits astride I-95 between Philadelphia and Baltimore, with the Port of Wilmington handling significant produce and auto imports and dense chemical and pharmaceutical freight from the Wilmington industrial corridor.
What changed in November 2026
- average sign-on bonus rose by 2.3% ($2,006 → $2,052).
Delaware CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Delaware 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) | $2,264 | $2,100 | 719 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,551 | $1,500 | 550 |
| Owner Operator | $7,223 | $7,125 | 348 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Delaware drivers actually run
16% of Delaware's active CDL postings are regional and 78% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (6%).
Across Delaware CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 31% dedicated, 82% take-truck-home, 65% pet-friendly, 63% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Delaware
Delaware sits astride I-95 between Philadelphia and Baltimore — the I-95 segment through Newark and Wilmington carries some of the heaviest truck volume in Delaware. The Port of Wilmington handles produce, autos, and bulk; chemical and pharmaceutical freight from the Wilmington industrial corridor adds hazmat-eligible loads. Delaware has a moderate graduated state income tax (top rate 6.6% on income above $60,000). The state's small geographic size means most regional drivers based here spend significant time in PA, MD, and NJ; treat DE as the I-95 transit corridor it is.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Delaware
- Best owner-operator companies in Delaware
- CDL driver salary in the United States
Where this data comes from
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.