Updated September 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Longview, Texas (September 2026)
Longview, Texas CDL drivers average $2,609 per week, median $2,000, as of September 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,574 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,921. 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 September 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Longview, Texas vs Texas: the numbers that diverge
| Longview, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,609 | $2,237 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 79% | +9 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 59% | +9 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 62% | +8 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 75% | +13 pt |
| Local routes | 0% | 7% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Longview, Texas sits 17% above the Texas baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Longview, Texas
Across active CDL postings in Longview, 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) | $2,257 | $2,050 | 720 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,606 | $1,555 | 491 |
| Owner Operator | $7,127 | $7,125 | 363 |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
What Longview, Texas drivers actually run
The route mix in Longview, Texas this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 88% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Longview, Texas postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
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 Longview, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Longview, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
How we compile these rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated September 2026.