Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Smyrna, Georgia (November 2026)
Through November 2026, the average CDL driver in Smyrna, Georgia earns $2,373 per week (median $1,950). Based on 1,726 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,992. Georgia freight is anchored by the Port of Savannah — a top-tier US container gateway — and the Atlanta intermodal crossroads at I-75 / I-85 / I-20, making it the dominant Southeast distribution hub.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Smyrna, Georgia CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Smyrna, Georgia 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) | $2,202 | $2,000 | 813 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,564 | $1,500 | 542 |
| Owner Operator | $7,146 | $7,000 | 371 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Smyrna, Georgia
The route mix in Smyrna, Georgia this month tilts OTR: 14% regional, 82% OTR, 2% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Smyrna, Georgia CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 67% pet-friendly, 66% riders-allowed.
Where Smyrna, Georgia differs from the Georgia baseline
| Smyrna, Georgia | Georgia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,373 | $2,212 | +7% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 82% | 76% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Smyrna, Georgia differs most from Georgia — 7% above statewide.
Driving CDL in Georgia
Georgia anchors the Southeast freight network through the Port of Savannah (a top-tier East Coast container gateway) and the Atlanta intermodal crossroads at I-75 / I-85 / I-20. Atlanta traffic is consistently top-tier US congestion — drivers based here either learn the off-peak windows or take a real income hit. Outside the metro, Georgia is one of the easier driving states: flat, mostly forgiving weather, little mountain work outside the north Georgia corridors. Reefer pulling poultry out of north-central Georgia is a steady regional segment. State income tax is moderate; cost of living statewide is below the national average. The Port of Savannah lanes are a steady driver-pay segment.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Smyrna, Georgia
- Best owner-operator companies in Smyrna, Georgia
- CDL driver salary in Georgia
How we compile these rankings
Compensation is the largest single weight at 30% — pay percentile, sign-on bonus, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement cadence. FMCSA safety contributes 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions with unsafe-driving and hours-of-service weighted 2× heavier. Benefits contribute 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator and 1099 carriers. Operational performance — application responsiveness and fleet scale — contributes 20%. Updated November 2026.