Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina CDL drivers earn $2,680 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,455 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,053. South Carolina freight is anchored by the Port of Charleston — a top-tier East Coast container gateway — with I-95 / I-26 / I-85 corridors serving BMW in Spartanburg and Volvo assembly near Charleston.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina vs South Carolina: the numbers that diverge
| Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | South Carolina | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,680 | $2,267 | +18% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 78% | +9 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 16% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina sits 18% above the South Carolina baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Across active CDL postings in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 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) | $2,173 | $2,000 | 669 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,604 | $1,580 | 420 |
| Owner Operator | $7,113 | $7,000 | 366 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Hilton Head Island, South Carolina drivers actually run
11% of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina's active CDL postings are regional and 87% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in South Carolina
South Carolina freight is anchored by the Port of Charleston — a top-tier East Coast container gateway — with I-95 / I-26 / I-85 corridors serving the BMW assembly plant in Spartanburg and Volvo near Charleston. The Greenville-Spartanburg manufacturing corridor adds steady industrial freight. South Carolina has moderate-to-high graduated state income tax; the upstate is more affordable than the coast. Hurricane season affects the coast (June-November); inland SC is generally easier driving. The auto-supplier lanes around Spartanburg run on tight just-in-time schedules — minute-level dispatch precision matters.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Best owner-operator companies in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- CDL driver salary in South Carolina
How we compile these rankings
Pay carriers in the same market against each other (30% of the score). Add a five-dimension FMCSA safety percentile from SAFER (25%). Score benefits based on whether the carrier hires W2 drivers or contractors (25%). Layer on employer responsiveness and fleet scale (20%). The weights are fixed and public. Updated May 2026.