Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Iowa City, Iowa (May 2026)
$2,604/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Iowa City, Iowa as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,000, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,494 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,084. Iowa freight is shaped by its agricultural output — corn, soybeans, and ethanol — moving on I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south, with Des Moines serving as the primary distribution crossroads.
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 Iowa City, Iowa differs from the Iowa baseline
| Iowa City, Iowa | Iowa | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,604 | $2,286 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Iowa City, Iowa differs most from Iowa — 14% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Iowa City, Iowa
Across active CDL postings in Iowa City, Iowa 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) | $2,226 | $2,013 | 667 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,565 | $1,532 | 470 |
| Owner Operator | $7,131 | $7,250 | 357 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Iowa City, Iowa
The route mix in Iowa City, Iowa this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 89% OTR, 1% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Iowa City, Iowa CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Iowa
Iowa freight is shaped by the state's agricultural output — corn, soybeans, ethanol, pork — moving on the I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south corridors. Des Moines serves as the primary distribution crossroads. Cedar Rapids and Davenport (Quad Cities) add manufacturing and food-processing freight. Iowa runs a moderate graduated state income tax; living costs are among the lowest in the Midwest. Winter is severe — wind off the prairie plus drifting snow plus black ice on I-80 makes route timing genuinely consequential from December through March.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Iowa City, Iowa
- Best owner-operator companies in Iowa City, Iowa
- CDL driver salary in Iowa
The methodology behind the rankings
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.