Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Louisiana (July 2026)
CDL drivers in Louisiana earn $2,470 per week on average through July 2026. The median is $1,975, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,722 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,955. Louisiana handles some of the highest freight tonnage in the US through the Port of New Orleans and Port of South Louisiana on the lower Mississippi, with heavy petrochemical and energy freight on I-10 / I-20 / I-49.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How CDL pay breaks down in Louisiana
Across active CDL postings in Louisiana 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) | $2,200 | $2,000 | 769 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,578 | $1,500 | 570 |
| Owner Operator | $7,117 | $7,000 | 383 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
What Louisiana drivers actually run
12% of Louisiana's active CDL postings are regional and 85% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Across Louisiana CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 68% pet-friendly, 66% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Louisiana
Louisiana handles some of the highest freight tonnage in the US through the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana on the lower Mississippi. Petrochemical and energy freight on I-10 / I-20 / I-49 is the dominant industrial segment. Hurricane season (June-November) drives both shutdowns and rebound-rate spikes; insurance premiums are correspondingly elevated. Louisiana has a low-to-moderate graduated state income tax. New Orleans bridge restrictions and Atchafalaya Basin weather can complicate route planning. Cost of living is below the national average.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Louisiana
- Best owner-operator companies in Louisiana
- CDL driver salary in the United States
The methodology behind the rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated July 2026.