Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in New Haven, Connecticut (May 2026)
CDL drivers in New Haven, Connecticut earn $2,974 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $2,100, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,215 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,027. New Haven sits on I-95 and I-91 on Long Island Sound, with the Port of New Haven handling heating oil and petroleum, Yale medical procurement, and a mix of manufacturing and retail distribution freight.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where New Haven, Connecticut differs from the Connecticut baseline
| New Haven, Connecticut | Connecticut | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,974 | $2,563 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 86% | 81% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 80% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where New Haven, Connecticut differs most from Connecticut — 16% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across New Haven, Connecticut
Across active CDL postings in New Haven, Connecticut 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) | $2,233 | $2,050 | 551 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,587 | $1,600 | 348 |
| Owner Operator | $7,406 | $7,500 | 316 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in New Haven, Connecticut
The route mix in New Haven, Connecticut this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 87% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across New Haven, Connecticut CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Connecticut
Connecticut CDL work is mostly last-mile and short-haul on the dense I-95 / I-91 / I-84 metro grid feeding the Northeast corridor. The Port of New Haven handles breakbulk; aerospace and defense manufacturing (Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Sikorsky in Stratford, plus RTX-related supplier networks) generate high-value freight. Cost of living is among the highest in the country and state income tax is high. Many drivers based here run out-of-state lanes to keep the math working. Truck-route restrictions on parkways and dense urban congestion make CT one of the higher-overhead states to operate in.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in New Haven, Connecticut
- Best owner-operator companies in New Haven, Connecticut
- CDL driver salary in Connecticut
How we compile these rankings
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated May 2026.