Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Lawrence, Kansas (November 2026)
$2,552/week average, $2,000 median for CDL drivers in Lawrence, Kansas (November 2026). Based on 1,483 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,987. 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 November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 2.8% ($2,626 → $2,552).
Lawrence, Kansas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Lawrence, 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) | $2,335 | $2,137 | 667 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,594 | $1,560 | 466 |
| Owner Operator | $7,104 | $7,000 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Lawrence, Kansas
The route mix in Lawrence, Kansas this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 89% OTR, 1% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Lawrence, Kansas postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Where Lawrence, Kansas differs from the Kansas baseline
Lawrence, Kansas's biggest divergence from Kansas is on average weekly pay, 12% above the state baseline.
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. Far western Kansas is genuinely remote, with sparse services, and tornado season (April-June) shapes route planning each spring.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Lawrence, Kansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Lawrence, Kansas
- CDL driver salary in Kansas
Where this data comes from
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 November 2026.