Updated September 2026
CDL Driver Salary in South Carolina (September 2026)
South Carolina CDL drivers: $2,298 average weekly pay, $1,850 median (September 2026). Based on 1,970 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,961. South Carolina freight is anchored by the Port of Charleston — a top-tier East Coast container gateway — with I-95 / I-26 / I-85 corridors serving BMW in Spartanburg and Volvo assembly near Charleston.
What changed in September 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
What CDL drivers are earning across South Carolina
Across active CDL postings in South Carolina 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) | $2,108 | $2,000 | 878 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,497 | $1,450 | 684 |
| Owner Operator | $6,902 | $7,000 | 408 |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
What South Carolina drivers actually run
17% of South Carolina's active CDL postings are regional and 78% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (5%).
Across South Carolina CDL postings: 3% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 83% take-truck-home, 66% pet-friendly, 63% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in South Carolina
South Carolina freight is anchored by the Port of Charleston — a top-tier East Coast container gateway — with I-95 / I-26 / I-85 corridors serving the BMW assembly plant in Spartanburg and Volvo near Charleston. The Greenville-Spartanburg manufacturing corridor adds steady industrial freight. South Carolina has moderate-to-high graduated state income tax; the upstate is more affordable than the coast. Hurricane season affects the coast (June-November); inland SC is generally easier driving. The auto-supplier lanes around Spartanburg run on tight just-in-time schedules — minute-level dispatch precision matters.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in South Carolina
- Best owner-operator companies in South Carolina
- CDL driver salary in the United States
How we compile these rankings
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 September 2026.