Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in New Bedford, Massachusetts (May 2026)
$3,034/week average, $2,150 median for CDL drivers in New Bedford, Massachusetts (May 2026). Based on 1,130 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,072. Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 metro grid through Boston, with Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo and a major concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing requiring cold-chain and hazmat lanes.
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 New Bedford, Massachusetts compares to Massachusetts
| New Bedford, Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,034 | $2,732 | +11% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
New Bedford, Massachusetts's biggest divergence from Massachusetts is on average weekly pay, 11% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in New Bedford, Massachusetts
Across active CDL postings in New Bedford, Massachusetts 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) | $2,258 | $2,050 | 512 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,598 | $1,600 | 315 |
| Owner Operator | $7,392 | $7,500 | 303 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in New Bedford, Massachusetts
9% of New Bedford, Massachusetts's active CDL postings are regional and 89% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of New Bedford, Massachusetts postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 87%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Massachusetts
Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 grid through Boston, with the Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo. A dense biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster around Cambridge / Boston / Worcester requires cold-chain and hazmat-eligible lanes. The Big Dig tunnels have truck-height and hazmat restrictions worth checking before routing. Boston congestion is consistently in the worst US tier. Cost of living is among the highest nationally. Massachusetts has a moderate flat state income tax with an added surtax on very high incomes (not relevant for most drivers).
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in New Bedford, Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in Massachusetts
The methodology behind the rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.