Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Massachusetts (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Massachusetts CDL drivers earn $2,732 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,355 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,085. 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.
How CDL pay breaks down in Massachusetts
Across active CDL postings in 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) | $2,231 | $2,006 | 582 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,536 | $1,500 | 448 |
| Owner Operator | $7,338 | $7,500 | 325 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Massachusetts
Of active CDL postings in Massachusetts this month, 11% are regional and 83% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 6%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Massachusetts postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 83%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 66% and riders-allowed at 65%.
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 Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in the United States
The methodology behind the rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.