Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Peoria, Illinois (November 2026)
Active CDL job postings in Peoria, Illinois pay $2,413/week on average (median $2,000) through November 2026. Based on 1,701 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,069. Illinois anchors the US rail and truck network through Chicago, the largest intermodal hub in North America, with I-80 / I-90 / I-55 feeding a dense concentration of manufacturing, warehousing, and cold-chain freight.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Peoria, Illinois vs Illinois: the numbers that diverge
| Peoria, Illinois | Illinois | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,413 | $2,020 | +19% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 79% | +10 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 60% | +8 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 63% | +7 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 71% | +15 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 8% | -7 pt |
| Regional routes | 13% | 19% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Peoria, Illinois differs most from Illinois — 19% above statewide.
Peoria, Illinois CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Peoria, Illinois 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) | $2,280 | $2,100 | 765 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,555 | $1,500 | 559 |
| Owner Operator | $7,068 | $7,000 | 377 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Peoria, Illinois drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Peoria, Illinois this month, 13% are regional and 86% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 3% of Peoria, Illinois postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Illinois
Illinois is one of the most strategically located CDL states — Chicago is the largest US intermodal rail hub, so a huge percentage of national freight passes through. The metro lanes pay well but congestion on I-80, I-90, and I-294 is consistent enough to be a real income variable. Outside the Chicago metro, downstate Illinois looks much more like Iowa or Indiana — agricultural freight, less density, easier driving. State income tax is moderate. The winter operational profile is severe: lake-effect snow, road salt, and the freezing-thawing cycle eat equipment faster than most southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Peoria, Illinois
- Best owner-operator companies in Peoria, Illinois
- CDL driver salary in Illinois
How we compile these rankings
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 November 2026.