Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Mentor, Ohio (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Mentor, Ohio CDL drivers earn $2,586 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,613 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,088. Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt, with I-70 / I-71 / I-75 forming a freight grid through Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati and major automotive, steel, and chemical supply chains driving consistent lane demand.
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 Mentor, Ohio compares to Ohio
| Mentor, Ohio | Ohio | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,586 | $2,132 | +21% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 79% | +8 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 61% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 64% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 71% | +12 pt |
| Regional routes | 14% | 20% | -6 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Mentor, Ohio's biggest divergence from Ohio is on average weekly pay, 21% above the state baseline.
Mentor, Ohio CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Mentor, Ohio 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) | $2,211 | $2,000 | 695 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,545 | $1,500 | 544 |
| Owner Operator | $7,087 | $7,000 | 374 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Mentor, Ohio
14% of Mentor, Ohio's active CDL postings are regional and 83% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Across Mentor, Ohio CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Ohio
Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt and runs about as much through-freight as any state. I-70, I-71, I-75, and the Ohio Turnpike form a freight grid that's flat, generally well-maintained, and forgiving for newer drivers — Ohio is one of the better states to gain initial OTR experience. The Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metros each anchor distinct lane profiles (auto, distribution, and pharmaceutical respectively). Winter operational risk is real — lake-effect off Erie, freezing rain in the central part of the state — but less extreme than the Great Plains states. Ohio cost of living is below the national average, which makes the income math work better than the headline pay numbers suggest.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Mentor, Ohio
- Best owner-operator companies in Mentor, Ohio
- CDL driver salary in Ohio
How we compile these rankings
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated May 2026.