Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Meridian, Mississippi (November 2026)
Meridian, Mississippi CDL drivers average $2,609 per week, median $2,050, as of November 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,403 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,915. Mississippi trucking runs I-10 along the Gulf Coast and I-20 / I-55 north-south, with agricultural freight of cotton, soybeans, and catfish, and automotive assembly adding volume from the Nissan plant in Canton.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 4.3% ($2,725 → $2,609).
- median weekly pay fell by 2.4% ($2,100 → $2,050).
Meridian, Mississippi vs Mississippi: the numbers that diverge
| Meridian, Mississippi | Mississippi | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,609 | $2,292 | +14% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 90% | 84% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Meridian, Mississippi's biggest divergence from Mississippi is on average weekly pay, 14% above the state baseline.
Meridian, Mississippi CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Meridian, Mississippi 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) | $2,286 | $2,100 | 668 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,612 | $1,575 | 394 |
| Owner Operator | $7,245 | $7,250 | 341 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Meridian, Mississippi
Of active CDL postings in Meridian, Mississippi this month, 10% are regional and 90% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 0%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Meridian, Mississippi postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 90%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
Driving CDL in Mississippi
Mississippi trucking runs I-10 along the Gulf Coast and I-20 / I-55 north-south. Agricultural freight (poultry, soybeans, cotton, catfish) is a major outbound segment. Automotive assembly at the Nissan plant in Canton (just north of Jackson) adds parts-and-finished-vehicle lanes. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, which substantially helps comp math even at modest headline pay rates. Mississippi has a moderate flat state income tax. Gulf Coast hurricane season is the major weather variable; inland MS is generally easier driving than its Gulf coastline.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Meridian, Mississippi
- Best owner-operator companies in Meridian, Mississippi
- CDL driver salary in Mississippi
Where this data comes from
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.