Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Southaven, Mississippi (May 2026)
CDL pay in Southaven, Mississippi averages $2,629/week (median $2,000) through May 2026. Based on 1,508 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,033. Mississippi trucking runs I-10 along the Gulf Coast and I-20 / I-55 north-south, with agricultural freight of cotton, soybeans, and catfish, and automotive assembly adding volume from the Nissan plant in Canton.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Southaven, Mississippi vs Mississippi: the numbers that diverge
| Southaven, Mississippi | Mississippi | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,629 | $2,337 | +12% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Southaven, Mississippi's biggest divergence from Mississippi is on average weekly pay, 12% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Southaven, Mississippi
Across active CDL postings in Southaven, Mississippi 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) | $2,219 | $2,000 | 670 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,593 | $1,550 | 466 |
| Owner Operator | $7,109 | $7,000 | 372 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Southaven, Mississippi
11% of Southaven, Mississippi's active CDL postings are regional and 88% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Southaven, Mississippi postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 72% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Mississippi
Mississippi trucking runs I-10 along the Gulf Coast and I-20 / I-55 north-south. Agricultural freight (cotton, soybeans, catfish) is the dominant outbound segment. Automotive assembly at the Nissan plant in Canton (just north of Jackson) adds parts-and-finished-vehicle lanes. Cost of living is the lowest in the country, which substantially helps comp math even at modest headline pay rates. Mississippi has a moderate graduated state income tax. Gulf Coast hurricane season is the major weather variable; inland MS is generally easier driving than its Gulf coastline.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Southaven, Mississippi
- Best owner-operator companies in Southaven, Mississippi
- CDL driver salary in Mississippi
How we compile these rankings
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated May 2026.