Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Frederick, Maryland (November 2026)
CDL drivers in Frederick, Maryland earn $2,657 per week on average through November 2026. The median is $2,050, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,390 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,953. Maryland freight flows through Port of Baltimore — a major East Coast container and auto-import port (whose channel reopened within months of the 2024 Key Bridge collapse) — and along the I-95 / I-70 / I-695 Beltway corridor connecting mid-Atlantic manufacturing and DC-metro distribution.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 1.7% ($2,702 → $2,657).
- median weekly pay fell by 2.4% ($2,100 → $2,050).
- average sign-on bonus rose by 1.6% ($1,923 → $1,953).
Frederick, Maryland vs Maryland: the numbers that diverge
| Frederick, Maryland | Maryland | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,657 | $2,326 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 82% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 77% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Frederick, Maryland differs most from Maryland — 14% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Frederick, Maryland
Across active CDL postings in Frederick, Maryland 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) | $2,267 | $2,100 | 651 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,587 | $1,550 | 400 |
| Owner Operator | $7,235 | $7,250 | 339 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Frederick, Maryland
The route mix in Frederick, Maryland this month tilts OTR: 13% regional, 84% OTR, 3% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Frederick, Maryland CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 29% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 68% pet-friendly, 65% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Maryland
Maryland freight flows through the Port of Baltimore — a major East Coast container and auto-import port (the 2024 Key Bridge collapse closed the channel for about two months; the replacement bridge is due around 2030) — and along the I-95 / I-70 / I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) corridor connecting mid-Atlantic manufacturing and DC-metro distribution. The Beltway is a recurring truck bottleneck. Cost of living is high and state income tax is moderate-to-high depending on county add-ons. Eastern Shore freight (poultry processing especially) is a distinct regional segment. The Bay Bridge wind restrictions and weight rules complicate Eastern Shore route timing.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Frederick, Maryland
- Best owner-operator companies in Frederick, Maryland
- CDL driver salary in Maryland
How we compile these rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated November 2026.