Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Denton, Texas (May 2026)
Denton, Texas's CDL drivers earn $2,486 per week on average, $1,950 median, as of May 2026. Based on 1,638 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,006. Texas freight moves on I-10 / I-35 / I-20 corridors connecting Gulf Coast energy and Port of Houston to border crossings at Laredo and El Paso — two of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — and large retail and manufacturing distribution inland.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Denton, Texas differs from the Texas baseline
| Denton, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,486 | $2,223 | +12% |
| Take-truck-home | 86% | 79% | +7 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 67% | 60% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 75% | +9 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Denton, Texas differs most from Texas — 12% above statewide.
Denton, Texas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Denton, Texas 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) | $2,144 | $2,000 | 722 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,575 | $1,500 | 543 |
| Owner Operator | $7,116 | $7,000 | 373 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Denton, Texas
12% of Denton, Texas's active CDL postings are regional and 84% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (4%).
Across Denton, Texas CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is the largest CDL market in the country and the deepest mix of lane types. Cross-border work out of Laredo and El Paso, oil-field service in the Permian Basin, dedicated retail out of Dallas and Houston, and reefer pulling produce out of the Rio Grande Valley all run from different parts of the state — and they pay very differently. Texas has favorable trucking regulations and no state income tax, which is real money on the back end. The summer heat is the operational variable most newcomers underestimate; equipment, hours, and load-securing all behave differently when ambient temps hit 110°F.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Denton, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Denton, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
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 May 2026.