Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Quincy, Illinois (May 2026)
As of May 2026, CDL drivers in Quincy, Illinois are earning a weekly average of $2,605 (median $2,000). Based on 1,616 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,235. 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.
Quincy, Illinois vs Illinois: the numbers that diverge
| Quincy, Illinois | Illinois | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,605 | $2,055 | +27% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 80% | +9 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 64% | +8 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 61% | +8 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 71% | +16 pt |
| Local routes | 0% | 8% | -8 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 19% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Quincy, Illinois's biggest divergence from Illinois is on average weekly pay, 27% above the state baseline.
Quincy, Illinois CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Quincy, 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) | $2,230 | $2,012 | 709 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,565 | $1,500 | 527 |
| Owner Operator | $7,080 | $7,000 | 380 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Quincy, Illinois
The route mix in Quincy, Illinois this month tilts OTR: 12% regional, 87% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Quincy, Illinois CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
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 Quincy, Illinois
- Best owner-operator companies in Quincy, Illinois
- CDL driver salary in Illinois
Where this data comes from
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated May 2026.