Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in New Brunswick, New Jersey (November 2026)
New Brunswick, New Jersey CDL drivers earn $2,603 per week on average (median $2,000) as of November 2026. Based on 1,420 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,966. New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark / Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities serving the New York metro market.
What changed in November 2026
- average sign-on bonus rose by 1.4% ($1,939 → $1,966).
Where New Brunswick, New Jersey differs from the New Jersey baseline
| New Brunswick, New Jersey | New Jersey | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,603 | $2,323 | +12% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 82% | 74% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where New Brunswick, New Jersey differs most from New Jersey — 12% above statewide.
New Brunswick, New Jersey CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in New Brunswick, New Jersey 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) | $2,294 | $2,100 | 656 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,588 | $1,535 | 438 |
| Owner Operator | $7,284 | $7,500 | 326 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What New Brunswick, New Jersey drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in New Brunswick, New Jersey this month, 12% are regional and 82% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 6%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of New Brunswick, New Jersey postings; dedicated routes at 32%; take-truck-home at 82%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 65% and riders-allowed at 64%.
Driving CDL in New Jersey
New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark-Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities feeding the New York metro market. Drayage out of the port is a major CDL segment. Cost of living is high; New Jersey state income tax is high and graduated (peaks above 10%). Bridge and tunnel tolls, truck-route restrictions on the Garden State Parkway (trucks over 10,000 lb are barred north of Exit 105), and limits on certain Hudson crossings add planning overhead. Traffic around Fort Lee and the George Washington Bridge (I-95) is among the worst in the country.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in New Brunswick, New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in New Jersey
Where this data comes from
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 November 2026.