Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Maryland (November 2026)
Through November 2026, the average CDL driver in Maryland earns $2,326 per week (median $1,900). Based on 1,808 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 29% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,069. Maryland freight flows through Port of Baltimore — a major East Coast container and auto-import port (whose channel reopened within months of the 2024 Key Bridge collapse) — and along the I-95 / I-70 / I-695 Beltway corridor connecting mid-Atlantic manufacturing and DC-metro distribution.
What changed in November 2026
- average sign-on bonus rose by 2.1% ($2,027 → $2,069).
What CDL drivers are earning across Maryland
Across active CDL postings in Maryland 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) | $2,232 | $2,050 | 775 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,520 | $1,500 | 660 |
| Owner Operator | $7,147 | $7,000 | 373 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Maryland drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Maryland this month, 17% are regional and 77% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 6%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Maryland postings; dedicated routes at 30%; take-truck-home at 82%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 64% and riders-allowed at 62%.
Driving CDL in Maryland
Maryland freight flows through the Port of Baltimore — a major East Coast container and auto-import port (the 2024 Key Bridge collapse closed the channel for about two months; the replacement bridge is due around 2030) — and along the I-95 / I-70 / I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) corridor connecting mid-Atlantic manufacturing and DC-metro distribution. The Beltway is a recurring truck bottleneck. Cost of living is high and state income tax is moderate-to-high depending on county add-ons. Eastern Shore freight (poultry processing especially) is a distinct regional segment. The Bay Bridge wind restrictions and weight rules complicate Eastern Shore route timing.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Maryland
- Best owner-operator companies in Maryland
- CDL driver salary in the United States
How we compile these rankings
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated November 2026.