Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Malden, Massachusetts (May 2026)
Active CDL job postings in Malden, Massachusetts pay $3,014/week on average (median $2,150) through May 2026. Based on 1,160 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,082. 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.
Malden, Massachusetts CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Malden, 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) | $2,250 | $2,050 | 520 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,592 | $1,600 | 332 |
| Owner Operator | $7,409 | $7,500 | 308 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Malden, Massachusetts drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Malden, 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 Malden, Massachusetts postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 86%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 67%.
Where Malden, Massachusetts differs from the Massachusetts baseline
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Malden, Massachusetts differs most from Massachusetts — 10% above statewide.
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 Malden, Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in Malden, Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in Massachusetts
Where this data comes from
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 May 2026.