Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Shelton, Connecticut (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Shelton, Connecticut CDL drivers earn $2,969 per week on average. The median is $2,100; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,222 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,018. Connecticut freight moves on I-95 and I-91 / I-84 connecting to the Northeast corridor, with Port of New Haven handling petroleum and heating oil (with breakbulk as a secondary segment) and a dense concentration of aerospace and defense manufacturing.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Shelton, Connecticut differs from the Connecticut baseline
| Shelton, Connecticut | Connecticut | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,969 | $2,563 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 86% | 81% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 80% | +7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Shelton, Connecticut differs most from Connecticut — 16% above statewide.
What CDL drivers are earning across Shelton, Connecticut
Across active CDL postings in Shelton, Connecticut 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) | $2,229 | $2,035 | 558 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,586 | $1,600 | 347 |
| Owner Operator | $7,392 | $7,500 | 317 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Shelton, Connecticut drivers actually run
The route mix in Shelton, Connecticut this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 87% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Shelton, Connecticut CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Connecticut
Connecticut CDL work is mostly last-mile and short-haul on the dense I-95 / I-91 / I-84 metro grid feeding the Northeast corridor. The Port of New Haven handles breakbulk; aerospace and defense manufacturing (Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Sikorsky in Stratford, plus RTX-related supplier networks) generate high-value freight. Cost of living is among the highest in the country and state income tax is high. Many drivers based here run out-of-state lanes to keep the math working. Truck-route restrictions on parkways and dense urban congestion make CT one of the higher-overhead states to operate in.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Shelton, Connecticut
- Best owner-operator companies in Shelton, Connecticut
- CDL driver salary in Connecticut
How we compile these 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.