Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Kingsport, Tennessee (May 2026)
As of May 2026, CDL drivers in Kingsport, Tennessee are earning a weekly average of $2,624 (median $2,000). Based on 1,592 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,119. Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx global air hub and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, while Nashville-area automotive and manufacturing plants drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity.
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 Kingsport, Tennessee differs from the Tennessee baseline
| Kingsport, Tennessee | Tennessee | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,624 | $2,087 | +26% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 66% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 70% | 64% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 76% | +11 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 19% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Kingsport, Tennessee's biggest divergence from Tennessee is on average weekly pay, 26% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Kingsport, Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Kingsport, Tennessee 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) | $2,153 | $2,000 | 710 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,610 | $1,567 | 498 |
| Owner Operator | $7,106 | $7,000 | 384 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Kingsport, Tennessee drivers actually run
The route mix in Kingsport, Tennessee this month tilts OTR: 12% regional, 87% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Kingsport, Tennessee postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 72% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Tennessee
Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx Express World Hub — one of the world's largest air cargo hubs by tonnage — and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, with the nightly sort cycle generating enormous regional dispatch demand. Nashville-area automotive (Nissan Smyrna) and manufacturing drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity. Cost of living is below the national average; Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. East TN (Chattanooga, Knoxville) is mountain-adjacent — I-40 east through the Smokies and I-24 across Monteagle pass have real winter weight.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Kingsport, Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Kingsport, Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in Tennessee
How we compile these rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.