Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Jackson, Tennessee (November 2026)
Jackson, Tennessee CDL drivers earn $2,514 per week on average (median $2,000) as of November 2026. Based on 1,595 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,059. Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx global air hub and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, while Nashville-area automotive and manufacturing plants drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
How Jackson, Tennessee compares to Tennessee
| Jackson, Tennessee | Tennessee | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,514 | $2,050 | +23% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 65% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 76% | +11 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 19% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Jackson, Tennessee's biggest divergence from Tennessee is on average weekly pay, 23% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Jackson, Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Jackson, Tennessee 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) | $2,276 | $2,100 | 728 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,614 | $1,580 | 504 |
| Owner Operator | $7,124 | $7,000 | 363 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Jackson, Tennessee
Of active CDL postings in Jackson, Tennessee this month, 12% are regional and 87% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Jackson, Tennessee postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Tennessee
Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx Express World Hub — one of the world's largest air cargo hubs by tonnage — and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, with the nightly sort cycle generating enormous regional dispatch demand. Nashville-area automotive (Nissan Smyrna) and manufacturing drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity. Cost of living is below the national average; Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. East TN (Chattanooga, Knoxville) is mountain-adjacent — I-40 east through the Smokies and I-24 across Monteagle pass have real winter weight.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Jackson, Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Jackson, Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in Tennessee
The methodology behind the rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated November 2026.