Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in New Berlin, Wisconsin (May 2026)
$2,577/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in New Berlin, Wisconsin as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,000, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,567 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,098. Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison, with dairy and food processing as the dominant outbound commodity and paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generating consistent industrial loads.
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 Berlin, Wisconsin compares to Wisconsin
| New Berlin, Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,577 | $2,211 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 81% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 65% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 85% | 75% | +10 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: New Berlin, Wisconsin sits 17% above the Wisconsin baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in New Berlin, Wisconsin
Across active CDL postings in New Berlin, 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) | $2,221 | $2,000 | 689 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,539 | $1,500 | 512 |
| Owner Operator | $7,136 | $7,250 | 366 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across New Berlin, Wisconsin
12% of New Berlin, Wisconsin's active CDL postings are regional and 85% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of New Berlin, Wisconsin postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 68%.
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 New Berlin, Wisconsin
- Best owner-operator companies in New Berlin, Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in Wisconsin
The methodology behind the rankings
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated May 2026.