Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Jersey City, New Jersey (May 2026)
CDL drivers in Jersey City, New Jersey earn $2,652 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $2,000, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,390 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,065. Jersey City sits across the Hudson from Manhattan at the nexus of the NJ Turnpike and I-78, with Port Newark / Elizabeth drayage, dense last-mile delivery into New York City, and intermodal rail connections via CSX and NS.
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 Jersey City, New Jersey compares to New Jersey
| Jersey City, New Jersey | New Jersey | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,652 | $2,392 | +11% |
| Take-truck-home | 83% | 78% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 67% | 62% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 65% | 60% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 82% | 74% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Jersey City, New Jersey differs most from New Jersey — 11% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Jersey City, New Jersey
Across active CDL postings in Jersey City, New Jersey 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 | $2,042 | 626 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,584 | $1,530 | 432 |
| Owner Operator | $7,275 | $7,500 | 332 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Jersey City, New Jersey
Of active CDL postings in Jersey City, New Jersey this month, 12% are regional and 82% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 6%.
Across Jersey City, New Jersey CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 30% dedicated, 83% take-truck-home, 67% pet-friendly, 65% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in New Jersey
New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark-Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities feeding the New York metro market. Drayage out of the port is the largest single CDL segment. Cost of living is high; New Jersey state income tax is high and graduated (peaks above 10%). Bridge tolls and truck-route restrictions on the Garden State Parkway (no trucks allowed) and certain Hudson crossings add planning overhead. NJ Turnpike traffic is consistently in the worst US tier.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Jersey City, New Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in Jersey City, New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in New Jersey
How we compile these 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 May 2026.