Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Pine Bluff, Arkansas (May 2026)
$2,633/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Pine Bluff, Arkansas as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,000, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,479 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,075. Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and I-55 / I-30 corridors, with massive retail distribution demand driven by Walmart's Bentonville headquarters and heavy agricultural shipments of rice, poultry, and soybeans.
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 Pine Bluff, Arkansas compares to Arkansas
| Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Arkansas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,633 | $2,284 | +15% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Pine Bluff, Arkansas differs most from Arkansas — 15% above statewide.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Pine Bluff, Arkansas 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) | $2,219 | $2,000 | 662 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,602 | $1,587 | 454 |
| Owner Operator | $7,173 | $7,000 | 363 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Pine Bluff, Arkansas drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Pine Bluff, Arkansas this month, 10% are regional and 89% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Pine Bluff, Arkansas postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 90%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 73% and riders-allowed at 71%.
Driving CDL in Arkansas
Arkansas freight runs on I-40 east-west and the I-30 / I-55 corridors, with Walmart's Bentonville headquarters anchoring the largest distribution-and-retail logistics flow in the state. Poultry and soybean reefer/dry-van freight is a steady segment from the Ozark region. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, which makes the comp math work well for drivers based here. Arkansas has a low graduated state income tax. I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock is one of the busier mid-South freight lanes.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- CDL driver salary in Arkansas
Where this data comes from
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated May 2026.