Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Hammond, Indiana (May 2026)
Hammond, Indiana CDL drivers average $2,326 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 1,830 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,123. 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 Hammond, Indiana differs from the Indiana baseline
| Hammond, Indiana | Indiana | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,326 | $2,044 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 85% | 79% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 80% | 70% | +10 pt |
| Local routes | 4% | 9% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Hammond, Indiana sits 14% above the Indiana baseline.
Hammond, Indiana CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Hammond, 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) | $2,189 | $2,000 | 775 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,512 | $1,500 | 653 |
| Owner Operator | $6,990 | $7,000 | 402 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Hammond, Indiana
The route mix in Hammond, Indiana this month tilts OTR: 15% regional, 80% OTR, 4% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Hammond, Indiana postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 65%.
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 Hammond, Indiana
- Best owner-operator companies in Hammond, Indiana
- CDL driver salary in Indiana
Where this data comes from
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated May 2026.