Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota (November 2026)
Grand Forks, North Dakota CDL drivers earn $2,579 per week on average (median $2,047) as of November 2026. Based on 1,269 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,967. North Dakota freight is dominated by Bakken oil-field service trucking in the western half and agricultural shipments of wheat, soybeans, and corn on I-94 / I-29, with significant cross-border trade through multiple Canadian ports of entry.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 3.1% ($2,662 → $2,579).
Grand Forks, North Dakota CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Grand Forks, North Dakota 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) | $2,346 | $2,150 | 587 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,611 | $1,600 | 375 |
| Owner Operator | $7,281 | $7,500 | 307 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Grand Forks, North Dakota
Of active CDL postings in Grand Forks, North Dakota this month, 9% are regional and 90% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Across Grand Forks, North Dakota CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 88% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in North Dakota
North Dakota freight is dominated by Bakken oil-field service trucking in the western half — Williston, Watford City, and Dickinson are the operational centers. Agricultural freight (wheat, soybeans, corn, sugar beets) runs on I-94 / I-29 in the rest of the state. Significant cross-border trade with Saskatchewan through multiple commercial ports of entry adds international planning overhead. Winter is severe and long, with windchill stretches that affect equipment cold-start and fuel gelling. North Dakota has a low graduated state income tax — among the lowest in the country.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Best owner-operator companies in Grand Forks, North Dakota
- CDL driver salary in North Dakota
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 November 2026.