Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Indiana (May 2026)
CDL drivers in Indiana earn $2,044 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $1,732, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 2,367 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,243. 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.
How CDL pay breaks down in Indiana
Across active CDL postings in 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,428 | $1,400 | 1,042 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,057 | $1,950 | 884 |
| Owner Operator | $6,886 | $7,000 | 441 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Indiana drivers actually run
19% of Indiana's active CDL postings are regional and 70% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (11%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Indiana postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 79%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 63% and riders-allowed at 61%.
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 Indiana
- Best owner-operator companies in Indiana
- CDL driver salary in the United States
The methodology behind the rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.