Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Portland, Maine (May 2026)
Portland, Maine CDL drivers: $3,266 average weekly pay, $2,250 median (May 2026). Based on 1,065 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,085. Portland, Maine, handles the Port of Portland on Casco Bay, a key petroleum and dry-bulk terminal for northern New England, with I-95 connecting it to Boston and lobster and seafood cold-chain generating regional loads.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Portland, Maine CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Portland, Maine 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) | $2,266 | $2,100 | 494 |
| Owner Operator | $7,503 | $7,500 | 297 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,629 | $1,600 | 274 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Portland, Maine drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Portland, Maine this month, 8% are regional and 91% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Across Portland, Maine CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
How Portland, Maine compares to Maine
Portland, Maine's biggest divergence from Maine is on average weekly pay, 8% above the state baseline.
Driving CDL in Maine
Maine CDL work runs up I-95 to the Port of Portland and beyond, with paper and forest-products loads (less than in past decades but still meaningful), lobster and seafood cold-chain headed south, and cross-border trade to Atlantic Canada through Houlton and Calais. The state is large and sparsely populated — long lanes between population centers. Winter is severe and long; coastal Maine adds saltwater corrosion concerns. Maine has a high graduated state income tax. Most carriers running Maine have done so for decades; route knowledge matters.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Portland, Maine
- Best owner-operator companies in Portland, Maine
- CDL driver salary in Maine
Where this data comes from
Compensation is the largest single weight at 30% — pay percentile, sign-on bonus, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement cadence. FMCSA safety contributes 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions with unsafe-driving and hours-of-service weighted 2× heavier. Benefits contribute 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator and 1099 carriers. Operational performance — application responsiveness and fleet scale — contributes 20%. Updated May 2026.