Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Newport News, Virginia (May 2026)
Newport News, Virginia CDL drivers average $2,831 per week, median $2,075, as of May 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,353 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,018. Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads, the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast (55 ft after the Gateway dredging program), with I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connecting it to the mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Newport News, Virginia vs Virginia: the numbers that diverge
| Newport News, Virginia | Virginia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,831 | $2,269 | +25% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 70% | 64% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 78% | +10 pt |
| Regional routes | 10% | 17% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Newport News, Virginia differs most from Virginia — 25% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Newport News, Virginia
Across active CDL postings in Newport News, Virginia 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) | $2,226 | $2,042 | 615 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,621 | $1,600 | 395 |
| Owner Operator | $7,244 | $7,250 | 343 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Newport News, Virginia drivers actually run
The route mix in Newport News, Virginia this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 88% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Newport News, Virginia CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Virginia
Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads — the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast and a top-tier US container gateway. The I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connect Norfolk to mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets, with I-81 north-south through the Shenandoah Valley a major regional freight spine. Cost of living varies widely (high in Northern Virginia, moderate elsewhere). Virginia has a moderate graduated state income tax. Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) congestion is consistently top-tier; central and western VA is generally easier driving.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Newport News, Virginia
- Best owner-operator companies in Newport News, Virginia
- CDL driver salary in Virginia
How we compile these rankings
Compensation is the largest single weight at 30% — pay percentile, sign-on bonus, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement cadence. FMCSA safety contributes 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions with unsafe-driving and hours-of-service weighted 2× heavier. Benefits contribute 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator and 1099 carriers. Operational performance — application responsiveness and fleet scale — contributes 20%. Updated May 2026.