Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas (May 2026)
As of May 2026, CDL drivers in Fort Smith, Arkansas are earning a weekly average of $2,624 (median $2,000). Based on 1,466 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,083. Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and I-55 / I-30 corridors, with massive retail distribution demand driven by Walmart's Bentonville headquarters and heavy agricultural shipments of rice, poultry, and soybeans.
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 Fort Smith, Arkansas differs from the Arkansas baseline
| Fort Smith, Arkansas | Arkansas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,624 | $2,284 | +15% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Regional routes | 9% | 14% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Fort Smith, Arkansas sits 15% above the Arkansas baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Fort Smith, Arkansas
Across active CDL postings in Fort Smith, Arkansas 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) | $2,220 | $2,000 | 654 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,609 | $1,600 | 452 |
| Owner Operator | $7,134 | $7,000 | 360 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Fort Smith, Arkansas drivers actually run
9% of Fort Smith, Arkansas's active CDL postings are regional and 89% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Across Fort Smith, Arkansas CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 73% pet-friendly, 71% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Arkansas
Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and the I-30 / I-55 corridors, with Walmart's Bentonville headquarters anchoring the largest distribution-and-retail logistics flow in the state. Poultry and soybean reefer/dry-van freight is a steady segment from the Ozark region. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, which makes the comp math work well for drivers based here. Arkansas has a low graduated state income tax. I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock is one of the busier mid-South freight lanes.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Fort Smith, Arkansas
- CDL driver salary in Arkansas
The methodology behind the rankings
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.