Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Kenner, Louisiana (May 2026)
In Kenner, Louisiana as of May 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,819 per week (median $2,050). Based on 1,349 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,112. Louisiana handles some of the highest freight tonnage in the US through the Port of New Orleans and Port of South Louisiana on the lower Mississippi, with heavy petrochemical and energy freight on I-10 / I-20 / I-49.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Kenner, Louisiana CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Kenner, Louisiana 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) | $2,230 | $2,025 | 624 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,624 | $1,600 | 383 |
| Owner Operator | $7,289 | $7,250 | 342 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Kenner, Louisiana drivers actually run
The route mix in Kenner, Louisiana this month tilts OTR: 9% regional, 89% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Kenner, Louisiana CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Where Kenner, Louisiana differs from the Louisiana baseline
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Kenner, Louisiana sits 10% above the Louisiana baseline.
Driving CDL in Louisiana
Louisiana handles some of the highest freight tonnage in the US through the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana on the lower Mississippi. Petrochemical and energy freight on I-10 / I-20 / I-49 is the dominant industrial segment. Hurricane season (June-November) drives both shutdowns and rebound-rate spikes; insurance premiums are correspondingly elevated. Louisiana has a low-to-moderate graduated state income tax. New Orleans bridge restrictions and Atchafalaya Basin weather can complicate route planning. Cost of living is below the national average.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Kenner, Louisiana
- Best owner-operator companies in Kenner, Louisiana
- CDL driver salary in Louisiana
Where this data comes from
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.