Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Richmond, Virginia (November 2026)
$2,589/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Richmond, Virginia as of November 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $2,037, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,413 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,956. Richmond is the I-95 / I-64 junction in central Virginia, serving as a regional distribution hub for the mid-Atlantic with Philip Morris and Altria tobacco freight, consumer goods distribution, and port-bound loads for Norfolk.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 3.9% ($2,695 → $2,589).
- median weekly pay fell by 3% ($2,100 → $2,037).
- average sign-on bonus rose by 1.7% ($1,924 → $1,956).
How Richmond, Virginia compares to Virginia
| Richmond, Virginia | Virginia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,589 | $2,275 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 70% | 65% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 77% | +10 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 18% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Richmond, Virginia's biggest divergence from Virginia is on average weekly pay, 14% above the state baseline.
Richmond, Virginia CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Richmond, 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) | $2,263 | $2,100 | 659 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,634 | $1,600 | 414 |
| Owner Operator | $7,218 | $7,250 | 340 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Richmond, Virginia drivers actually run
The route mix in Richmond, Virginia this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 87% OTR, 1% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Richmond, Virginia postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Richmond
Richmond anchors central Virginia at the I-95 / I-64 cross. State government supply chains, distribution serving the mid-Atlantic, and CarMax HQ and Capital One West Creek campus logistics drive freight. Cost of living is moderate. Winter weather is moderate; the Blue Ridge crossings to the west are operational variables.
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 Richmond, Virginia
- Best owner-operator companies in Richmond, Virginia
- CDL driver salary in Virginia
Where this data comes from
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated November 2026.