Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Johnson City, Tennessee (November 2026)
CDL pay in Johnson City, Tennessee averages $2,514/week (median $2,000) through November 2026. Based on 1,593 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,018. 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.
Where Johnson City, Tennessee differs from the Tennessee baseline
| Johnson City, Tennessee | Tennessee | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,514 | $2,050 | +23% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 65% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 76% | +11 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 19% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Johnson City, Tennessee's biggest divergence from Tennessee is on average weekly pay, 23% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Johnson City, Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Johnson City, 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) | $2,254 | $2,075 | 745 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,609 | $1,550 | 486 |
| Owner Operator | $7,119 | $7,000 | 362 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Johnson City, Tennessee
12% of Johnson City, Tennessee's active CDL postings are regional and 87% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Johnson City, Tennessee postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
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 Johnson City, Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Johnson City, Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in Tennessee
How we compile these rankings
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated November 2026.