Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Joliet, Illinois (May 2026)
As of May 2026, CDL drivers in Joliet, Illinois are earning a weekly average of $2,321 (median $1,850). Based on 1,852 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,198. Illinois anchors the US rail and truck network through Chicago, the largest intermodal hub in North America, with I-80 / I-90 / I-55 feeding a dense concentration of manufacturing, warehousing, and cold-chain freight.
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 Joliet, Illinois compares to Illinois
| Joliet, Illinois | Illinois | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,321 | $2,055 | +13% |
| Take-truck-home | 85% | 80% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 79% | 71% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Joliet, Illinois differs most from Illinois — 13% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Joliet, Illinois
Across active CDL postings in Joliet, Illinois 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) | $2,199 | $2,000 | 782 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,506 | $1,450 | 666 |
| Owner Operator | $7,030 | $7,000 | 404 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Joliet, Illinois
15% of Joliet, Illinois's active CDL postings are regional and 79% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (6%).
Across Joliet, Illinois CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 85% take-truck-home, 68% pet-friendly, 65% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Illinois
Illinois is one of the most strategically located CDL states — Chicago is the largest US intermodal rail hub, so a huge percentage of national freight passes through. The metro lanes pay well but congestion on I-80, I-90, and I-294 is consistent enough to be a real income variable. Outside the Chicago metro, downstate Illinois looks much more like Iowa or Indiana — agricultural freight, less density, easier driving. State income tax is moderate. The winter operational profile is severe: lake-effect snow, road salt, and the freezing-thawing cycle eat equipment faster than most southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Joliet, Illinois
- Best owner-operator companies in Joliet, Illinois
- CDL driver salary in Illinois
How we compile these rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.