Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Friendswood, Texas (May 2026)
Friendswood, Texas CDL drivers earn $2,616 per week on average (median $2,000) as of May 2026. Based on 1,547 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,970. 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.
How Friendswood, Texas compares to Texas
| Friendswood, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,616 | $2,223 | +18% |
| Take-truck-home | 86% | 79% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 66% | 60% | +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 Friendswood, Texas differs most from Texas — 18% above statewide.
Friendswood, Texas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Friendswood, 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) | $2,208 | $2,000 | 684 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,597 | $1,525 | 491 |
| Owner Operator | $7,068 | $7,000 | 372 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Friendswood, Texas
Of active CDL postings in Friendswood, Texas this month, 12% are regional and 84% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 4%.
Across Friendswood, Texas CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 66% 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 Friendswood, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Friendswood, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
Where this data comes from
Compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance — weighted 30, 25, 25, and 20 percent respectively. Compensation extends beyond headline pay to include sign-on bonus tier and settlement cadence. Benefits scoring differs by hiring type because the perks that matter to a W2 driver and a contractor are not the same. Updated May 2026.