Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Killeen, Texas (May 2026)
Killeen, Texas's CDL drivers earn $2,637 per week on average, $2,000 median, as of May 2026. Based on 1,496 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,072. Texas freight moves on I-10 / I-35 / I-20 corridors connecting Gulf Coast energy and Port of Houston to border crossings at Laredo and El Paso — two of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — and large retail and manufacturing distribution inland.
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 Killeen, Texas differs from the Texas baseline
| Killeen, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,637 | $2,223 | +19% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 79% | +9 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 63% | +8 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 60% | +8 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 75% | +12 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 7% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Killeen, Texas's biggest divergence from Texas is on average weekly pay, 19% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Killeen, Texas
Across active CDL postings in Killeen, Texas 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) | $2,219 | $2,000 | 670 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,619 | $1,582 | 465 |
| Owner Operator | $7,169 | $7,000 | 361 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Killeen, Texas
The route mix in Killeen, Texas this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 87% OTR, 1% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Killeen, Texas CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 88% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is the largest CDL market in the country and the deepest mix of lane types. Cross-border work out of Laredo and El Paso, oil-field service in the Permian Basin, dedicated retail out of Dallas and Houston, and reefer pulling produce out of the Rio Grande Valley all run from different parts of the state — and they pay very differently. Texas has favorable trucking regulations and no state income tax, which is real money on the back end. The summer heat is the operational variable most newcomers underestimate; equipment, hours, and load-securing all behave differently when ambient temps hit 110°F.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Killeen, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Killeen, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
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.