Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Plainfield, Illinois (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Plainfield, Illinois CDL drivers earn $2,321 per week on average. The median is $1,850; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,853 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,199. 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 May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Plainfield, Illinois compares to Illinois
| Plainfield, Illinois | Illinois | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,321 | $2,055 | +13% |
| Take-truck-home | 85% | 80% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 79% | 71% | +8 pt |
| Regional routes | 14% | 19% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Plainfield, Illinois's biggest divergence from Illinois is on average weekly pay, 13% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Plainfield, Illinois
Across active CDL postings in Plainfield, 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) | $2,200 | $2,000 | 781 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,503 | $1,450 | 668 |
| Owner Operator | $7,013 | $7,000 | 404 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Plainfield, Illinois drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Plainfield, Illinois this month, 14% are regional and 79% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 7%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Plainfield, Illinois postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 65%.
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 Plainfield, Illinois
- Best owner-operator companies in Plainfield, Illinois
- CDL driver salary in Illinois
How we compile these rankings
Pay carriers in the same market against each other (30% of the score). Add a five-dimension FMCSA safety percentile from SAFER (25%). Score benefits based on whether the carrier hires W2 drivers or contractors (25%). Layer on employer responsiveness and fleet scale (20%). The weights are fixed and public. Updated May 2026.