Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Kansas (May 2026)
In Kansas as of May 2026, the average weekly CDL pay is $2,315 with a median of $1,850. Both figures are computed against currently-active job postings, not historical surveys. Based on 1,788 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,144. Kansas freight moves on the I-70 east-west transcontinental corridor and I-35 north-south, with agricultural commodities — wheat, beef, and grain — dominating loads and the Kansas City metro serving as a regional hub.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
What CDL drivers are earning across Kansas
Across active CDL postings in Kansas 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) | $2,172 | $2,000 | 721 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,521 | $1,500 | 674 |
| Owner Operator | $7,026 | $7,000 | 393 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Kansas
The route mix in Kansas this month tilts OTR: 12% regional, 84% OTR, 2% local, 2% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Kansas CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Kansas
Kansas freight moves on the I-70 east-west transcontinental corridor and I-35 north-south, with the Kansas City metro (split with MO) as the regional hub. Wheat, beef, and grain dominate outbound loads, especially in summer harvest season. Wichita aerospace and manufacturing adds steady industrial freight. Kansas has a moderate graduated state income tax; cost of living runs near the bottom of the US distribution. Western Kansas is genuinely remote — long stretches between fuel stops on I-70 west of Salina — and tornado season (April-June) shapes route planning each spring.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Kansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Kansas
- CDL driver salary in the United States
How we compile these rankings
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.