Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Miami Gardens, Florida (May 2026)
In Miami Gardens, Florida as of May 2026, the average weekly CDL pay is $2,824 with a median of $2,100. Both figures are computed against currently-active job postings, not historical surveys. Based on 1,284 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,085. Florida trucking runs on I-95 / I-75 north-south spines and the I-4 Tampa-Orlando-Daytona cross, with Port of Miami and Port of Jacksonville as major gateways alongside heavy citrus and produce agriculture freight.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Miami Gardens, Florida differs from the Florida baseline
| Miami Gardens, Florida | Florida | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,824 | $2,349 | +20% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 81% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Miami Gardens, Florida differs most from Florida — 20% above statewide.
Miami Gardens, Florida CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Miami Gardens, Florida 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) | $2,219 | $2,050 | 610 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,612 | $1,587 | 355 |
| Owner Operator | $7,310 | $7,500 | 319 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Miami Gardens, Florida drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Miami Gardens, Florida this month, 10% are regional and 88% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 2%.
Across Miami Gardens, Florida CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Florida
Florida CDL work splits cleanly between coastal port-and-tourism freight (Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Port Everglades) and Central Florida last-mile distribution. The hurricane season — June through November — drives both stress and opportunity: insurance rates climb, freight rates spike around storm-recovery windows, and shutdown days are a real income variable. Florida has no state income tax. The traffic on I-95 and I-4 is consistently in the top tier of US congestion, so HOS planning around peak commute windows matters more here than in most states. Reefer and produce work pays well; OTR pulling out of the state is steady year-round.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Miami Gardens, Florida
- Best owner-operator companies in Miami Gardens, Florida
- CDL driver salary in Florida
How we compile these rankings
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.