Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Loveland, Colorado (May 2026)
CDL drivers in Loveland, Colorado earn $2,997 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $2,150, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,155 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,144. Colorado trucking centers on the I-25 / I-70 cross at Denver, with energy-sector freight from the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin's Niobrara play in Weld County and growing produce flows out of the Western Slope.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Loveland, Colorado compares to Colorado
Loveland, Colorado's biggest divergence from Colorado is on average weekly pay, 20% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Loveland, Colorado
Across active CDL postings in Loveland, Colorado 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) | $2,269 | $2,100 | 490 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,618 | $1,600 | 358 |
| Owner Operator | $7,292 | $7,500 | 307 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Loveland, Colorado drivers actually run
9% of Loveland, Colorado's active CDL postings are regional and 88% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Loveland, Colorado postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 87%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Colorado
Colorado trucking centers on the I-25 / I-70 crossroads at Denver, with I-70 westbound the gateway to the Mountain West. Mountain passes and canyons — Eisenhower Tunnel (above 11,000 ft), Vail Pass, and Glenwood Canyon — are the dominant operational variable. Chain laws are aggressively enforced on I-70 from September through May. Elevation affects engine performance, brakes, and HOS realism. Cost of living along the Front Range is high relative to the Mountain West interior. Colorado has a moderate flat state income tax. Western Slope produce, northern Permian energy, and Denver last-mile distribution round out the lane mix.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Loveland, Colorado
- Best owner-operator companies in Loveland, Colorado
- CDL driver salary in Colorado
How we compile these rankings
Pay carriers in the same market against each other (30% of the score). Add a five-dimension FMCSA safety percentile from SAFER (25%). Score benefits based on whether the carrier hires W2 drivers or contractors (25%). Layer on employer responsiveness and fleet scale (20%). The weights are fixed and public. Updated May 2026.