Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Orlando, Florida (May 2026)
In Orlando, Florida as of May 2026, the average weekly CDL pay is $2,833 with a median of $2,100. Both figures are computed against currently-active job postings, not historical surveys. Based on 1,349 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,112. Orlando sits at the I-4 / Florida's Turnpike junction in central Florida, with tourism-driven retail and food service freight, construction materials for rapid development, and growing cold chain serving the region.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Orlando, Florida compares to Florida
| Orlando, Florida | Florida | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,833 | $2,349 | +21% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 81% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Orlando, Florida's biggest divergence from Florida is on average weekly pay, 21% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Orlando, Florida
Across active CDL postings in Orlando, Florida 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) | $2,211 | $2,000 | 637 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,631 | $1,600 | 373 |
| Owner Operator | $7,251 | $7,250 | 339 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Orlando, Florida
Of active CDL postings in Orlando, Florida 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 1% of Orlando, Florida postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 87%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 69% and riders-allowed at 67%.
Driving CDL in Florida
Florida CDL work splits cleanly between coastal port-and-tourism freight (Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Port Everglades) and Central Florida last-mile distribution. The hurricane season — June through November — drives both stress and opportunity: insurance rates climb, freight rates spike around storm-recovery windows, and shutdown days are a real income variable. Florida has no state income tax. The traffic on I-95 and I-4 is consistently in the top tier of US congestion, so HOS planning around peak commute windows matters more here than in most states. Reefer and produce work pays well; OTR pulling out of the state is steady year-round.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Orlando, Florida
- Best owner-operator companies in Orlando, Florida
- CDL driver salary in Florida
How we compile these 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 May 2026.