Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Portsmouth, Virginia (May 2026)
In Portsmouth, Virginia as of May 2026, the average weekly CDL pay is $2,824 with a median of $2,087. Both figures are computed against currently-active job postings, not historical surveys. Based on 1,351 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,037. Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads, the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast (55 ft after the Gateway dredging program), with I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connecting it to the mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets.
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 Portsmouth, Virginia compares to Virginia
| Portsmouth, Virginia | Virginia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,824 | $2,269 | +24% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 83% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 66% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 70% | 64% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 78% | +10 pt |
| Regional routes | 10% | 17% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Portsmouth, Virginia differs most from Virginia — 24% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Portsmouth, Virginia
Across active CDL postings in Portsmouth, Virginia 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) | $2,229 | $2,050 | 621 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,623 | $1,600 | 390 |
| Owner Operator | $7,253 | $7,250 | 340 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Portsmouth, Virginia drivers actually run
10% of Portsmouth, Virginia's active CDL postings are regional and 88% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Across Portsmouth, Virginia CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Virginia
Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads — the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast and a top-tier US container gateway. The I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connect Norfolk to mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets, with I-81 north-south through the Shenandoah Valley a major regional freight spine. Cost of living varies widely (high in Northern Virginia, moderate elsewhere). Virginia has a moderate graduated state income tax. Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) congestion is consistently top-tier; central and western VA is generally easier driving.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Portsmouth, Virginia
- Best owner-operator companies in Portsmouth, Virginia
- CDL driver salary in Virginia
The methodology behind the rankings
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.