Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Middletown, Ohio (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Middletown, Ohio CDL drivers earn $2,478 per week on average. The median is $1,950; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,708 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,152. 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 Middletown, Ohio compares to Ohio
| Middletown, Ohio | Ohio | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,478 | $2,132 | +16% |
| 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 | 82% | 71% | +11 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
| Regional routes | 15% | 20% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Middletown, Ohio sits 16% above the Ohio baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Middletown, Ohio
Across active CDL postings in Middletown, 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) | $2,168 | $2,000 | 721 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,527 | $1,500 | 592 |
| Owner Operator | $7,084 | $7,000 | 395 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Middletown, Ohio
The route mix in Middletown, Ohio this month tilts OTR: 15% regional, 82% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Middletown, Ohio CDL postings: 2% 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 Middletown, Ohio
- Best owner-operator companies in Middletown, Ohio
- CDL driver salary in Ohio
Where this data comes from
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.