Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Newark, New Jersey (November 2026)
$2,609/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Newark, New Jersey as of November 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,000, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,398 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,984. Newark anchors the Port of New York and New Jersey, the busiest east-coast container complex, with dense rail and truck intermodal connections via I-95 / NJ Turnpike and a significant US air-cargo airport at Newark Liberty.
What changed in November 2026
- average sign-on bonus rose by 1.5% ($1,955 → $1,984).
How Newark, New Jersey compares to New Jersey
| Newark, New Jersey | New Jersey | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,609 | $2,323 | +12% |
| Take-truck-home | 83% | 78% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 66% | 61% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 74% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Newark, New Jersey's biggest divergence from New Jersey is on average weekly pay, 12% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Newark, New Jersey
Across active CDL postings in Newark, 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) | $2,295 | $2,125 | 651 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,596 | $1,550 | 429 |
| Owner Operator | $7,260 | $7,500 | 318 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Newark, New Jersey
12% of Newark, New Jersey's active CDL postings are regional and 83% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (5%).
Across Newark, New Jersey CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 31% dedicated, 83% take-truck-home, 66% pet-friendly, 64% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Newark
Newark anchors the largest East Coast container port (Port Newark-Elizabeth). CDL work here is dominated by drayage, intermodal connections, and dense metro distribution. NJ Turnpike (I-95) is the spine. TWIC requirements apply for terminal access. Cost of living is high; pay reflects port-area competition.
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 Newark, New Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in Newark, New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in New Jersey
The methodology behind the rankings
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated November 2026.