Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky (November 2026)
CDL pay in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky averages $2,492/week (median $2,000) through November 2026. Based on 1,600 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,941. Kentucky is home to UPS Worldport in Louisville, the world's largest automated package handling facility, with I-65 / I-71 / I-75 truck corridors feeding automotive assembly plants and a major bourbon-export manufacturing cluster.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
How Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky compares to Kentucky
| Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky | Kentucky | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,492 | $2,133 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 65% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 75% | +11 pt |
| Regional routes | 13% | 19% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky differs most from Kentucky — 17% above statewide.
Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky 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) | $2,258 | $2,100 | 727 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,583 | $1,535 | 510 |
| Owner Operator | $7,135 | $7,000 | 363 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
The route mix in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky this month tilts OTR: 13% regional, 86% OTR, 1% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
Driving CDL in Kentucky
Kentucky is home to UPS Worldport in Louisville, the world's largest automated package handling facility, which generates enormous regional trucking demand around the nightly sort cycle. The I-65 / I-71 / I-75 corridors feed automotive assembly (Toyota Georgetown, Ford Louisville) and bourbon distillery distribution. Coal freight from eastern KY mines moves by rail and truck to power plants. Cost of living is below the national average. Kentucky has a low flat state income tax. I-75 through the eastern KY mountains in winter is no joke.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
- Best owner-operator companies in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
- CDL driver salary in Kentucky
Where this data comes from
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated November 2026.