Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Gary, Indiana (May 2026)
Gary, Indiana CDL drivers average $2,340 per week, median $1,850, as of May 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,823 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,129. Indiana freight centers on Indianapolis as a major Midwest crossroads, where I-65 / I-70 / I-74 intersect, supporting automotive supply chains, pharmaceuticals, and a large steel-producing northwest corridor near Gary.
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 Gary, Indiana differs from the Indiana baseline
| Gary, Indiana | Indiana | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,340 | $2,044 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 85% | 79% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 80% | 70% | +10 pt |
| Local routes | 4% | 9% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Gary, Indiana differs most from Indiana — 14% above statewide.
Gary, Indiana CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Gary, Indiana 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) | $2,190 | $2,000 | 773 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,513 | $1,500 | 647 |
| Owner Operator | $6,985 | $7,000 | 403 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Gary, Indiana drivers actually run
The route mix in Gary, Indiana this month tilts OTR: 15% regional, 80% OTR, 4% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Gary, Indiana CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 85% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 65% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Indiana
Indiana freight centers on Indianapolis as a major Midwest crossroads — I-65, I-70, I-74, and I-69 all intersect here. Automotive parts (Subaru, Honda, Toyota plus Tier-1 suppliers), pharmaceutical distribution tied to Eli Lilly, FedEx Indianapolis (FedEx's second hub after Memphis Worldhub), and Amazon regional fulfillment all drive consistent lane demand. Cost of living is below the national average. Indiana has a low flat state income tax — among the lower rates in the Midwest. Northwest Indiana (Gary/Hammond) is steel-and-chemical industrial; treat it as Chicago-overflow.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Gary, Indiana
- Best owner-operator companies in Gary, Indiana
- CDL driver salary in Indiana
Where this data comes from
Compensation is the largest single weight at 30% — pay percentile, sign-on bonus, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement cadence. FMCSA safety contributes 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions with unsafe-driving and hours-of-service weighted 2× heavier. Benefits contribute 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator and 1099 carriers. Operational performance — application responsiveness and fleet scale — contributes 20%. Updated May 2026.