Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in New Jersey (November 2026)
As of November 2026, CDL drivers in New Jersey are earning a weekly average of $2,323 (median $1,900). Based on 1,723 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,090. 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 2.2% ($2,046 → $2,090).
New Jersey CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in 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) | $2,240 | $2,100 | 735 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,516 | $1,500 | 638 |
| Owner Operator | $7,159 | $7,000 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in New Jersey
16% of New Jersey's active CDL postings are regional and 74% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (10%).
Across New Jersey CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 32% dedicated, 78% take-truck-home, 61% pet-friendly, 60% riders-allowed.
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 Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in the United States
Where this data comes from
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 November 2026.