Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Medford, Massachusetts (May 2026)
Medford, Massachusetts CDL drivers: $3,013 average weekly pay, $2,150 median (May 2026). Based on 1,161 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,083. 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 Medford, Massachusetts
Across active CDL postings in Medford, 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 | 519 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,591 | $1,600 | 333 |
| Owner Operator | $7,414 | $7,500 | 309 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Medford, Massachusetts drivers actually run
The route mix in Medford, Massachusetts this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 87% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Medford, Massachusetts postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 86%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 67%.
How Medford, Massachusetts compares to Massachusetts
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Medford, Massachusetts sits 10% above the Massachusetts 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 Medford, Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in Medford, Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in Massachusetts
The methodology behind the 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 May 2026.