Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Salem, Massachusetts (May 2026)
CDL drivers in Salem, Massachusetts earn $3,019 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $2,150, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,147 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,088. Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 metro grid through Boston, with Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo and a major concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing requiring cold-chain and hazmat lanes.
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 Salem, Massachusetts compares to Massachusetts
| Salem, Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,019 | $2,732 | +11% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Salem, Massachusetts's biggest divergence from Massachusetts is on average weekly pay, 11% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Salem, Massachusetts
Across active CDL postings in Salem, Massachusetts 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) | $2,249 | $2,050 | 517 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,595 | $1,600 | 324 |
| Owner Operator | $7,412 | $7,500 | 306 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Salem, Massachusetts drivers actually run
The route mix in Salem, Massachusetts this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 88% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Salem, Massachusetts CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Massachusetts
Massachusetts freight runs on the I-90 / I-93 / I-95 grid through Boston, with the Port of Boston handling bulk and container cargo. A dense biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster around Cambridge / Boston / Worcester requires cold-chain and hazmat-eligible lanes. The Big Dig tunnels have truck-height and hazmat restrictions worth checking before routing. Boston congestion is consistently in the worst US tier. Cost of living is among the highest nationally. Massachusetts has a moderate flat state income tax with an added surtax on very high incomes (not relevant for most drivers).
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Salem, Massachusetts
- Best owner-operator companies in Salem, Massachusetts
- CDL driver salary in Massachusetts
The methodology behind the rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.