Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Illinois (November 2026)
Illinois's CDL drivers earn $2,020 per week on average, $1,750 median, as of November 2026. Based on 2,396 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 29% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,098. Illinois anchors the US rail and truck network through Chicago, the largest intermodal hub in North America, with I-80 / I-90 / I-55 feeding a dense concentration of manufacturing, warehousing, and cold-chain freight.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Illinois CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,449 | $1,400 | 1,038 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,170 | $2,000 | 927 |
| Owner Operator | $6,876 | $7,000 | 431 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Illinois
Of active CDL postings in Illinois this month, 19% are regional and 71% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 10%.
Across Illinois CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 30% dedicated, 79% take-truck-home, 63% pet-friendly, 60% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Illinois
Illinois is one of the most strategically located CDL states — Chicago is the largest US intermodal rail hub, so a huge percentage of national freight passes through. The metro lanes pay well but congestion on I-80, I-90, and I-294 is consistent enough to be a real income variable. Outside the Chicago metro, downstate Illinois looks much more like Iowa or Indiana — agricultural freight, less density, easier driving. State income tax is moderate. The winter operational profile is severe: lake-effect snow, road salt, and the freezing-thawing cycle eat equipment faster than most southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Illinois
- Best owner-operator companies in Illinois
- CDL driver salary in the United States
Where this data comes from
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated November 2026.