Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Newton, Massachusetts (November 2026)
CDL pay in Newton, Massachusetts averages $2,871/week (median $2,150) through November 2026. Based on 1,168 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,969. Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 metro grid through Boston, with Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo and the nation's largest life-sciences cluster generating cold-chain and hazmat lanes.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Newton, Massachusetts vs Massachusetts: the numbers that diverge
| Newton, Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,871 | $2,572 | +12% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Newton, Massachusetts sits 12% above the Massachusetts baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Newton, Massachusetts
Across active CDL postings in Newton, Massachusetts 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) | $2,358 | $2,150 | 537 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,606 | $1,600 | 334 |
| Owner Operator | $7,379 | $7,500 | 297 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Newton, Massachusetts
Of active CDL postings in Newton, Massachusetts this month, 10% are regional and 88% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 2%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Newton, Massachusetts postings; dedicated routes at 30%; take-truck-home at 86%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 66%.
Driving CDL in Massachusetts
Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 grid through Boston, with the Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo. A dense biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster around Cambridge / Boston / Worcester requires cold-chain and hazmat-eligible lanes. The Big Dig tunnels have truck-height and hazmat restrictions worth checking before routing. Boston congestion is a recurring truck bottleneck. Cost of living is among the highest nationally. Massachusetts has a moderate flat state income tax with an added surtax on very high incomes (not relevant for most drivers).
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Newton, Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in Newton, Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in Massachusetts
The methodology behind the rankings
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated November 2026.