Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Des Moines, Iowa (November 2026)
$2,512/week average, $2,000 median for CDL drivers in Des Moines, Iowa (November 2026). Based on 1,483 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,958. Des Moines sits at the I-80 / I-35 junction in central Iowa, serving as a distribution hub for regional agricultural, manufacturing, and retail freight.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 3.4% ($2,600 → $2,512).
Des Moines, Iowa vs Iowa: the numbers that diverge
| Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,512 | $2,279 | +10% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 90% | 81% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Des Moines, Iowa sits 10% above the Iowa baseline.
Des Moines, Iowa CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Des Moines, 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) | $2,279 | $2,100 | 679 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,602 | $1,595 | 464 |
| Owner Operator | $7,177 | $7,250 | 340 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Des Moines, Iowa
10% of Des Moines, Iowa's active CDL postings are regional and 90% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (0%).
Across Des Moines, Iowa CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Des Moines
Des Moines anchors central Iowa at the I-80 / I-35 cross — one of Iowa's main distribution hubs. Outbound corn, soybean, and ethanol freight is substantial; insurance and financial-sector supply chains add steady distribution. Housing is affordable relative to comparable Midwest hubs. Winter is severe (drifting snow, prairie wind).
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 Des Moines, Iowa
- Best owner-operator companies in Des Moines, Iowa
- CDL driver salary in Iowa
Where this data comes from
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 November 2026.