Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Racine, Wisconsin (November 2026)
Racine, Wisconsin CDL drivers average $2,468 per week, median $2,000, as of November 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,588 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,961. Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison, with dairy and food processing as the dominant outbound commodity and paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generating consistent industrial loads.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Where Racine, Wisconsin differs from the Wisconsin baseline
| Racine, Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,468 | $2,159 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 81% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 67% | 62% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 75% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Racine, Wisconsin's biggest divergence from Wisconsin is on average weekly pay, 14% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Racine, Wisconsin
Across active CDL postings in Racine, Wisconsin 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) | $2,271 | $2,100 | 720 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,553 | $1,500 | 510 |
| Owner Operator | $7,164 | $7,250 | 358 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Racine, Wisconsin
12% of Racine, Wisconsin's active CDL postings are regional and 84% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (4%).
Across Racine, Wisconsin CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 29% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Wisconsin
Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison. Dairy and food processing are dominant outbound commodities — Wisconsin's reefer freight is a national-scale segment. Paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generates consistent industrial loads. Great Lakes ports at Green Bay and Superior handle bulk cargo. Cost of living is moderate. Wisconsin has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is severe — lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the eastern third of the state; ice and salt corrosion eat equipment faster than southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Racine, Wisconsin
- Best owner-operator companies in Racine, Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in Wisconsin
How we compile these rankings
Compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance — weighted 30, 25, 25, and 20 percent respectively. Compensation extends beyond headline pay to include sign-on bonus tier and settlement cadence. Benefits scoring differs by hiring type because the perks that matter to a W2 driver and a contractor are not the same. Updated November 2026.