Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Paterson, New Jersey (May 2026)
CDL pay in Paterson, New Jersey averages $2,656/week (median $2,000) through May 2026. Based on 1,386 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,088. New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark / Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities serving the New York metro market.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Paterson, New Jersey differs from the New Jersey baseline
| Paterson, New Jersey | New Jersey | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,656 | $2,392 | +11% |
| Take-truck-home | 83% | 78% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 67% | 62% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 74% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Paterson, New Jersey's biggest divergence from New Jersey is on average weekly pay, 11% above the state baseline.
Paterson, New Jersey CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Paterson, New Jersey 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) | $2,227 | $2,050 | 629 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,575 | $1,500 | 426 |
| Owner Operator | $7,296 | $7,500 | 331 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Paterson, New Jersey drivers actually run
The route mix in Paterson, New Jersey this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 83% OTR, 4% local, 2% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Paterson, New Jersey CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 29% dedicated, 83% take-truck-home, 67% pet-friendly, 64% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in New Jersey
New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark-Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities feeding the New York metro market. Drayage out of the port is the largest single CDL segment. Cost of living is high; New Jersey state income tax is high and graduated (peaks above 10%). Bridge tolls and truck-route restrictions on the Garden State Parkway (no trucks allowed) and certain Hudson crossings add planning overhead. NJ Turnpike traffic is consistently in the worst US tier.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Paterson, New Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in Paterson, New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in New Jersey
Where this data comes from
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated May 2026.