Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Jefferson City, Missouri (November 2026)
In Jefferson City, Missouri as of November 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,611 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,548 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,020. Missouri freight is shaped by the St. Louis and Kansas City hubs anchoring I-70 / I-44 / I-55 corridors, with the Mississippi and Missouri rivers providing barge access for agricultural and bulk commodity shipments.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Jefferson City, Missouri vs Missouri: the numbers that diverge
| Jefferson City, Missouri | Missouri | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,611 | $2,129 | +23% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 79% | +10 pt |
| Regional routes | 10% | 17% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Jefferson City, Missouri's biggest divergence from Missouri is on average weekly pay, 23% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Jefferson City, Missouri
Across active CDL postings in Jefferson City, Missouri 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 | 703 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,598 | $1,550 | 483 |
| Owner Operator | $7,087 | $7,000 | 362 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Jefferson City, Missouri drivers actually run
The route mix in Jefferson City, Missouri this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 89% OTR, 1% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Jefferson City, Missouri CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Missouri
Missouri freight is shaped by the St. Louis and Kansas City hubs anchoring the I-70 / I-44 / I-55 corridors. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers provide barge access for agricultural and bulk commodity transfers. St. Louis is one of the older US freight crossroads — the rail-truck interchange there is dense and complicated. Living costs sit comfortably below the national average; Missouri has a low-to-moderate graduated state income tax. Tornado season typically peaks in spring and shapes dispatch in central and southern MO.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Jefferson City, Missouri
- Best owner-operator companies in Jefferson City, Missouri
- CDL driver salary in Missouri
The methodology behind the rankings
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated November 2026.