Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Minot, North Dakota (May 2026)
Minot, North Dakota CDL drivers average $3,160 per week, median $2,200, as of May 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,094 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,002. North Dakota freight is dominated by Bakken oil-field service trucking in the western half and agricultural shipments of wheat, soybeans, and corn on I-94 / I-29, with significant cross-border trade through multiple Canadian ports of entry.
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 Minot, North Dakota differs from the North Dakota baseline
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Minot, North Dakota differs most from North Dakota — 18% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Minot, North Dakota
Across active CDL postings in Minot, North Dakota 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) | $2,263 | $2,100 | 507 |
| Owner Operator | $7,371 | $7,500 | 296 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,624 | $1,600 | 291 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Minot, North Dakota
7% of Minot, North Dakota's active CDL postings are regional and 91% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Minot, North Dakota postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 90%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 72% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in North Dakota
North Dakota freight is dominated by Bakken oil-field service trucking in the western half — Williston, Watford City, and Dickinson are the operational centers. Agricultural freight (wheat, soybeans, corn, sugar beets) runs on I-94 / I-29 in the rest of the state. Significant cross-border trade with Saskatchewan through multiple commercial ports of entry adds international planning overhead. Winter is severe and long, with windchill stretches that affect equipment cold-start and fuel gelling. North Dakota has a low graduated state income tax — among the lowest in the country.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Minot, North Dakota
- Best owner-operator companies in Minot, North Dakota
- CDL driver salary in North Dakota
The methodology behind the rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated May 2026.