Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (May 2026)
Hattiesburg, Mississippi CDL drivers: $2,844 average weekly pay, $2,075 median (May 2026). Based on 1,367 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,054. Mississippi trucking runs I-10 along the Gulf Coast and I-20 / I-55 north-south, with agricultural freight of cotton, soybeans, and catfish, and automotive assembly adding volume from the Nissan plant in Canton.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi vs Mississippi: the numbers that diverge
| Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Mississippi | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,844 | $2,337 | +22% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Regional routes | 9% | 14% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Hattiesburg, Mississippi's biggest divergence from Mississippi is on average weekly pay, 22% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Across active CDL postings in Hattiesburg, Mississippi 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) | $2,223 | $2,000 | 633 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,613 | $1,600 | 384 |
| Owner Operator | $7,244 | $7,125 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
9% of Hattiesburg, Mississippi's active CDL postings are regional and 89% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Across Hattiesburg, Mississippi CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Mississippi
Mississippi trucking runs I-10 along the Gulf Coast and I-20 / I-55 north-south. Agricultural freight (cotton, soybeans, catfish) is the dominant outbound segment. Automotive assembly at the Nissan plant in Canton (just north of Jackson) adds parts-and-finished-vehicle lanes. Cost of living is the lowest in the country, which substantially helps comp math even at modest headline pay rates. Mississippi has a moderate graduated state income tax. Gulf Coast hurricane season is the major weather variable; inland MS is generally easier driving than its Gulf coastline.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- Best owner-operator companies in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- CDL driver salary in Mississippi
How we compile these rankings
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.