Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Des Moines, Iowa (May 2026)
$2,606/week average, $2,000 median for CDL drivers in Des Moines, Iowa (May 2026). Based on 1,465 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,081. Des Moines sits at the I-80 / I-35 junction in central Iowa, serving as the state's primary distribution hub with large outbound volumes of corn, soybeans, and ethanol and growing insurance and financial-sector supply chains.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Des Moines, Iowa vs Iowa: the numbers that diverge
| Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,606 | $2,286 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
| Regional routes | 9% | 14% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Des Moines, Iowa sits 14% 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) | $2,228 | $2,042 | 650 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,592 | $1,561 | 463 |
| Owner Operator | $7,152 | $7,250 | 352 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Des Moines, Iowa
9% of Des Moines, Iowa's active CDL postings are regional and 89% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Across Des Moines, Iowa CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 71% riders-allowed.
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 graduated 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 May 2026.