Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Richardson, Texas (July 2026)
Richardson, Texas CDL drivers: $2,370 average weekly pay, $1,900 median (July 2026). Based on 1,631 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,900. Texas freight moves on I-10 / I-35 / I-20 corridors connecting Gulf Coast energy and Port of Houston to border crossings at Laredo and El Paso — two of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — and large retail and manufacturing distribution inland.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Richardson, Texas differs from the Texas baseline
| Richardson, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,370 | $2,178 | +9% |
| Take-truck-home | 84% | 78% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 65% | 59% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 76% | +8 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Richardson, Texas's biggest divergence from Texas is on average weekly pay, 9% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Richardson, Texas
Across active CDL postings in Richardson, Texas 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) | $2,183 | $2,000 | 736 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,570 | $1,500 | 537 |
| Owner Operator | $7,127 | $7,000 | 358 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Richardson, Texas
The route mix in Richardson, Texas this month tilts OTR: 12% regional, 84% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 3% of Richardson, Texas postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 84%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 68% and riders-allowed at 65%.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is the largest CDL market in the country and the deepest mix of lane types. Cross-border work out of Laredo and El Paso, oil-field service in the Permian Basin, dedicated retail out of Dallas and Houston, and reefer pulling produce out of the Rio Grande Valley all run from different parts of the state — and they pay very differently. Texas has favorable trucking regulations and no state income tax, which is real money on the back end. The summer heat is the operational variable most newcomers underestimate; equipment, hours, and load-securing all behave differently when ambient temps hit 110°F.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Richardson, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Richardson, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
How we compile these rankings
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated July 2026.