Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Palm Coast, Florida (May 2026)
Palm Coast, Florida CDL drivers: $2,852 average weekly pay, $2,100 median (May 2026). Based on 1,347 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,103. Florida trucking runs on I-95 / I-75 north-south spines and the I-4 Tampa-Orlando-Daytona cross, with Port of Miami and Port of Jacksonville as major gateways alongside heavy citrus and produce agriculture freight.
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 Palm Coast, Florida compares to Florida
| Palm Coast, Florida | Florida | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,852 | $2,349 | +21% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 81% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Palm Coast, Florida differs most from Florida — 21% above statewide.
Palm Coast, Florida CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Palm Coast, 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) | $2,208 | $2,000 | 635 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,640 | $1,600 | 372 |
| Owner Operator | $7,252 | $7,250 | 340 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Palm Coast, Florida
11% of Palm Coast, Florida's active CDL postings are regional and 88% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Palm Coast, Florida postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 88%. 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 Palm Coast, Florida
- Best owner-operator companies in Palm Coast, Florida
- CDL driver salary in Florida
Where this data comes from
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated May 2026.