Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Jonesboro, Arkansas (May 2026)
Jonesboro, Arkansas's CDL drivers earn $2,621 per week on average, $2,000 median, as of May 2026. Based on 1,528 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,073. Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and I-55 / I-30 corridors, with massive retail distribution demand driven by Walmart's Bentonville headquarters and heavy agricultural shipments of rice, poultry, and soybeans.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Jonesboro, Arkansas differs from the Arkansas baseline
| Jonesboro, Arkansas | Arkansas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,621 | $2,284 | +15% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Jonesboro, Arkansas differs most from Arkansas — 15% above statewide.
Jonesboro, Arkansas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Jonesboro, Arkansas 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) | $2,177 | $2,000 | 674 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,606 | $1,585 | 480 |
| Owner Operator | $7,084 | $7,000 | 374 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Jonesboro, Arkansas
The route mix in Jonesboro, Arkansas this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 88% OTR, 1% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Jonesboro, Arkansas CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 73% pet-friendly, 71% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Arkansas
Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and the I-30 / I-55 corridors, with Walmart's Bentonville headquarters anchoring the largest distribution-and-retail logistics flow in the state. Poultry and soybean reefer/dry-van freight is a steady segment from the Ozark region. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, which makes the comp math work well for drivers based here. Arkansas has a low graduated state income tax. I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock is one of the busier mid-South freight lanes.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Jonesboro, Arkansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Jonesboro, Arkansas
- CDL driver salary in Arkansas
Where this data comes from
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.