Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (November 2026)
Through November 2026, Milwaukee, Wisconsin CDL drivers earn $2,494 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,557 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,965. Milwaukee anchors I-94 on Lake Michigan with a port handling dry bulk and breakbulk cargo, with a dense manufacturing base in industrial goods and packaging, and Midwest distribution via I-94 and I-43.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
How Milwaukee, Wisconsin compares to Wisconsin
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,494 | $2,159 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 81% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 64% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 62% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 75% | +11 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's biggest divergence from Wisconsin is on average weekly pay, 16% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Across active CDL postings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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) | $2,283 | $2,100 | 715 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,550 | $1,500 | 493 |
| Owner Operator | $7,215 | $7,500 | 349 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Of active CDL postings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this month, 12% are regional and 86% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 2%.
Across Milwaukee, Wisconsin CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Milwaukee
Milwaukee anchors southeastern Wisconsin on I-94 / I-43 / I-794. Manufacturing (Harley-Davidson HQ, GE HealthCare's largest US manufacturing and engineering footprint (consolidating into the Waukesha campus; corporate HQ now in Chicago)), Northwestern Mutual HQ, and distribution serving the Lake Michigan corridor drive freight. Cost of living is moderate. Lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the city in winter; salt corrosion is real.
Driving CDL in Wisconsin
Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison. Dairy and food processing are dominant outbound commodities — Wisconsin's reefer freight is a national-scale segment. Paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generates consistent industrial loads. Great Lakes ports at Green Bay and Superior handle bulk cargo. Cost of living is moderate. Wisconsin has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is severe — lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the eastern third of the state; ice and salt corrosion eat equipment faster than southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Best owner-operator companies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in Wisconsin
The methodology behind the rankings
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 November 2026.