Updated September 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Monroe, Louisiana (September 2026)
Active CDL job postings in Monroe, Louisiana pay $2,575/week on average (median $2,000) through September 2026. Based on 1,423 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,962. Louisiana handles some of the highest freight tonnage in the US through the Port of New Orleans and Port of South Louisiana on the lower Mississippi, with heavy petrochemical and energy freight on I-10 / I-20 / I-49.
What changed in September 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
What CDL drivers are earning across Monroe, Louisiana
Across active CDL postings in Monroe, Louisiana 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) | $2,264 | $2,050 | 667 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,611 | $1,600 | 415 |
| Owner Operator | $7,202 | $7,250 | 341 |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Monroe, Louisiana
The route mix in Monroe, Louisiana this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 90% OTR, 0% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Monroe, Louisiana postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
How Monroe, Louisiana compares to Louisiana
| Monroe, Louisiana | Louisiana | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,575 | $2,489 | +3% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
The largest gap is on OTR (long-haul) routes: Monroe, Louisiana sits 5 points above the Louisiana baseline.
Driving CDL in Louisiana
Louisiana handles some of the highest freight tonnage in the US through the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana on the lower Mississippi. Petrochemical and energy freight on I-10 / I-20 / I-49 is the dominant industrial segment. Hurricane season (June-November) drives both shutdowns and rebound-rate spikes; insurance premiums are correspondingly elevated. Louisiana has a low-to-moderate graduated state income tax. New Orleans bridge restrictions and Atchafalaya Basin weather can complicate route planning. Cost of living is below the national average.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Monroe, Louisiana
- Best owner-operator companies in Monroe, Louisiana
- CDL driver salary in Louisiana
How we compile these rankings
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 September 2026.