Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Montgomery, Alabama (November 2026)
$2,631/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Montgomery, Alabama as of November 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,000, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,486 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,955. Montgomery is an I-85 / I-65 crossroads in central Alabama, with Hyundai automotive manufacturing driving parts-and-assembly freight and poultry-processing operations generating significant reefer loads.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Montgomery, Alabama vs Alabama: the numbers that diverge
| Montgomery, Alabama | Alabama | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,631 | $2,287 | +15% |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 65% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 80% | +7 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 16% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Montgomery, Alabama differs most from Alabama — 15% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Montgomery, Alabama
Across active CDL postings in Montgomery, Alabama 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) | $2,247 | $2,050 | 711 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,594 | $1,550 | 426 |
| Owner Operator | $7,158 | $7,000 | 349 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Montgomery, Alabama
The route mix in Montgomery, Alabama this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 87% OTR, 1% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Montgomery, Alabama CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Montgomery
Montgomery sits at the I-85 / I-65 cross, with Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama just south of town (I-65 exit 164, Hope Hull) anchoring tight just-in-time parts freight. Poultry-processing operations generate significant reefer loads. State government supply chains add steady volume. Cost of living is low; summer heat and humidity are the main weather variables.
Driving CDL in Alabama
Alabama trucking centers on the I-65 / I-20 / I-10 grid, with Hyundai (Montgomery), Honda (Lincoln), and Mercedes-Benz (Tuscaloosa) automotive plants driving heavy Tier-1 supplier freight on tight just-in-time schedules. The Port of Mobile handles bulk cargo at the southern end. Cost of living runs below the national average, which makes the headline pay math work better than it does in the Northeast. Summer heat and humidity on the Gulf Coast affect equipment and load-securing differently than inland. Alabama has a low graduated state income tax.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Montgomery, Alabama
- Best owner-operator companies in Montgomery, Alabama
- CDL driver salary in Alabama
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 November 2026.