Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Roanoke, Virginia (May 2026)
CDL pay in Roanoke, Virginia averages $2,681/week (median $2,000) through May 2026. Based on 1,460 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,038. Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads, the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast (55 ft after the Gateway dredging program), with I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connecting it to the mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Roanoke, Virginia compares to Virginia
| Roanoke, Virginia | Virginia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,681 | $2,269 | +18% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 66% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 78% | +10 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 17% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Roanoke, Virginia sits 18% above the Virginia baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Roanoke, Virginia
Across active CDL postings in Roanoke, 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) | $2,174 | $2,000 | 664 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,616 | $1,600 | 439 |
| Owner Operator | $7,180 | $7,000 | 357 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Roanoke, Virginia
The route mix in Roanoke, Virginia this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 88% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Roanoke, Virginia CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
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 Roanoke, Virginia
- Best owner-operator companies in Roanoke, Virginia
- CDL driver salary in Virginia
The methodology behind the rankings
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.