Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Lowell, Massachusetts (May 2026)
$3,001/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Lowell, Massachusetts as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,125, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,173 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,063. Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 metro grid through Boston, with Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo and a major concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing requiring cold-chain and hazmat lanes.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
What CDL drivers are earning across Lowell, Massachusetts
Across active CDL postings in Lowell, Massachusetts 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) | $2,252 | $2,050 | 525 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,585 | $1,575 | 338 |
| Owner Operator | $7,414 | $7,500 | 310 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Lowell, Massachusetts
Of active CDL postings in Lowell, Massachusetts this month, 10% are regional and 87% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 3%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Lowell, Massachusetts postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 86%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 67%.
How Lowell, Massachusetts compares to Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts's biggest divergence from Massachusetts is on average weekly pay, 10% above the state baseline.
Driving CDL in Massachusetts
Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 grid through Boston, with the Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo. A dense biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster around Cambridge / Boston / Worcester requires cold-chain and hazmat-eligible lanes. The Big Dig tunnels have truck-height and hazmat restrictions worth checking before routing. Boston congestion is consistently in the worst US tier. Cost of living is among the highest nationally. Massachusetts has a moderate flat state income tax with an added surtax on very high incomes (not relevant for most drivers).
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Lowell, Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in Lowell, Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in Massachusetts
The methodology behind the rankings
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated May 2026.