Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (May 2026)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota CDL drivers: $2,880 average weekly pay, $2,100 median (May 2026). Based on 1,247 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,092. Sioux Falls is the I-29 / I-90 junction in southeastern South Dakota, serving as the primary regional distribution hub with large outbound volumes of corn, soybeans, and cattle and a major meat-packing sector in the metro.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Sioux Falls, South Dakota 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) | $2,257 | $2,100 | 565 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,601 | $1,600 | 359 |
| Owner Operator | $7,229 | $7,500 | 323 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The route mix in Sioux Falls, South Dakota this month tilts OTR: 8% regional, 91% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Sioux Falls, South Dakota CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 26% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 73% pet-friendly, 71% riders-allowed.
How Sioux Falls, South Dakota compares to South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota's biggest divergence from South Dakota is on average weekly pay, 12% above the state baseline.
Driving CDL in South Dakota
South Dakota freight runs on I-29 north-south and I-90 east-west, with Sioux Falls as the primary distribution hub. Agricultural shipments of corn, soybeans, and cattle account for the bulk of statewide load volume. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, and South Dakota has no state income tax — both meaningful for drivers based here. Winter on the I-90 stretch through the prairie is severe (drifting snow, ice). Western SD is genuinely remote — long fuel-stop gaps. Cattle hauling in the western half is a distinct seasonal segment.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Best owner-operator companies in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- CDL driver salary in South Dakota
Where this data comes from
Compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance — weighted 30, 25, 25, and 20 percent respectively. Compensation extends beyond headline pay to include sign-on bonus tier and settlement cadence. Benefits scoring differs by hiring type because the perks that matter to a W2 driver and a contractor are not the same. Updated May 2026.