Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Shawnee, Kansas (November 2026)
CDL drivers in Shawnee, Kansas earn $2,606 per week on average through November 2026. The median is $2,000, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,490 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,989. Kansas freight moves on the I-70 east-west transcontinental corridor and I-35 north-south, with agricultural commodities — wheat, beef, and grain — dominating loads and the Kansas City metro serving as a regional hub.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Shawnee, Kansas vs Kansas: the numbers that diverge
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Shawnee, Kansas differs most from Kansas — 14% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Shawnee, Kansas
Across active CDL postings in Shawnee, Kansas 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) | $2,331 | $2,112 | 670 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,586 | $1,550 | 471 |
| Owner Operator | $7,107 | $7,000 | 349 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Shawnee, Kansas
10% of Shawnee, Kansas's active CDL postings are regional and 89% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Shawnee, Kansas postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 70% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Kansas
Kansas freight moves on the I-70 east-west transcontinental corridor and I-35 north-south, with the Kansas City metro (split with MO) as the regional hub. Wheat, beef, and grain dominate outbound loads, especially in summer harvest season. Wichita aerospace and manufacturing adds steady industrial freight. Kansas has a moderate graduated state income tax; cost of living runs near the bottom of the US distribution. Far western Kansas is genuinely remote, with sparse services, and tornado season (April-June) shapes route planning each spring.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Shawnee, Kansas
- Best owner-operator companies in Shawnee, Kansas
- CDL driver salary in Kansas
How we compile these rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated November 2026.