Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Garland, Texas (November 2026)
$2,382/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Garland, Texas as of November 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $1,950, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,691 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,896. 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 November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Where Garland, Texas differs from the Texas baseline
| Garland, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,382 | $2,190 | +9% |
| Take-truck-home | 85% | 78% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 68% | 62% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 65% | 59% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 76% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Garland, Texas sits 9% above the Texas baseline.
Garland, Texas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Garland, 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) | $2,225 | $2,006 | 769 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,576 | $1,500 | 559 |
| Owner Operator | $7,138 | $7,000 | 363 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Garland, Texas drivers actually run
12% of Garland, Texas's active CDL postings are regional and 84% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (4%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Garland, Texas postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 65%.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is one of the largest CDL markets 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 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 Garland, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Garland, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
Where this data comes from
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated November 2026.