Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in North Charleston, South Carolina (May 2026)
In North Charleston, South Carolina as of May 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,651 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,462 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,039. South Carolina freight is anchored by the Port of Charleston — a top-tier East Coast container gateway — with I-95 / I-26 / I-85 corridors serving BMW in Spartanburg and Volvo assembly near Charleston.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
North Charleston, South Carolina vs South Carolina: the numbers that diverge
| North Charleston, South Carolina | South Carolina | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,651 | $2,267 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 78% | +9 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 16% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where North Charleston, South Carolina differs most from South Carolina — 17% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across North Charleston, South Carolina
Across active CDL postings in North Charleston, South Carolina 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) | $2,171 | $2,000 | 674 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,610 | $1,600 | 427 |
| Owner Operator | $7,121 | $7,000 | 361 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What North Charleston, South Carolina drivers actually run
11% of North Charleston, South Carolina's active CDL postings are regional and 87% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of North Charleston, South Carolina postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
Driving CDL in South Carolina
South Carolina freight is anchored by the Port of Charleston — a top-tier East Coast container gateway — with I-95 / I-26 / I-85 corridors serving the BMW assembly plant in Spartanburg and Volvo near Charleston. The Greenville-Spartanburg manufacturing corridor adds steady industrial freight. South Carolina has moderate-to-high graduated state income tax; the upstate is more affordable than the coast. Hurricane season affects the coast (June-November); inland SC is generally easier driving. The auto-supplier lanes around Spartanburg run on tight just-in-time schedules — minute-level dispatch precision matters.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in North Charleston, South Carolina
- Best owner-operator companies in North Charleston, South Carolina
- CDL driver salary in South Carolina
How we compile these rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.