Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Kettering, Ohio (July 2026)
Through July 2026, Kettering, Ohio CDL drivers earn $2,479 per week on average. The median is $1,950; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,656 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,066. Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt, with I-70 / I-71 / I-75 forming a freight grid through Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati and major automotive, steel, and chemical supply chains driving consistent lane demand.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Kettering, Ohio vs Ohio: the numbers that diverge
| Kettering, Ohio | Ohio | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,479 | $2,121 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 79% | +8 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 64% | +7 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 67% | 60% | +7 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 72% | +11 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
| Regional routes | 14% | 19% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Kettering, Ohio's biggest divergence from Ohio is on average weekly pay, 17% above the state baseline.
Kettering, Ohio CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Kettering, Ohio 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) | $2,215 | $2,000 | 717 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,523 | $1,500 | 561 |
| Owner Operator | $7,099 | $7,000 | 378 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
What Kettering, Ohio drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Kettering, Ohio this month, 14% are regional and 83% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 3%.
Across Kettering, Ohio CDL postings: 3% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Ohio
Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt and runs about as much through-freight as any state. I-70, I-71, I-75, and the Ohio Turnpike form a freight grid that's flat, generally well-maintained, and forgiving for newer drivers — Ohio is one of the better states to gain initial OTR experience. The Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metros each anchor distinct lane profiles (auto, distribution, and pharmaceutical respectively). Winter operational risk is real — lake-effect off Erie, freezing rain in the central part of the state — but less extreme than the Great Plains states. Ohio cost of living is below the national average, which makes the income math work better than the headline pay numbers suggest.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Kettering, Ohio
- Best owner-operator companies in Kettering, Ohio
- CDL driver salary in Ohio
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 July 2026.