Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Richland, Washington (November 2026)
Richland, Washington CDL drivers average $2,867 per week, median $2,200, as of November 2026. Pay varies meaningfully by hiring type — the breakdown by W2, owner-op, and 1099 is below. Based on 1,057 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,060. Washington freight flows through the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma — a major West Coast container complex — with I-5 north-south and I-90 east-west carrying forest-products, agricultural exports from the Yakima Valley, and technology freight.
What changed in November 2026
- median weekly pay rose by 1.1% ($2,175 → $2,200).
- average sign-on bonus fell by 1% ($2,081 → $2,060).
How Richland, Washington compares to Washington
| Richland, Washington | Washington | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,867 | $2,579 | +11% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 6% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Richland, Washington sits 11% above the Washington baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Richland, Washington
Across active CDL postings in Richland, Washington 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) | $2,392 | $2,200 | 484 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,620 | $1,555 | 305 |
| Owner Operator | $7,339 | $7,500 | 268 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Richland, Washington drivers actually run
9% of Richland, Washington's active CDL postings are regional and 89% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Richland, Washington postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 87%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 67%.
Driving CDL in Washington
Washington freight flows through the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma — a major West Coast container complex — with I-5 north-south and I-90 east-west carrying forest-products freight, agricultural exports from the Yakima Valley (apples, hops, wine grapes), and technology-sector loads. Mountain passes (Snoqualmie on I-90, Stevens on US-2) are aggressive winter operational variables; chain laws apply liberally from November through March (commercial vehicles must carry chains Nov 1 to Apr 1). Cost of living is high in the Puget Sound metros. Washington has no state income tax — meaningful comp pull for drivers based here.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Richland, Washington
- Best owner-operator companies in Richland, Washington
- CDL driver salary in Washington
How we compile these rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated November 2026.