Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in St. Cloud, Minnesota (November 2026)
Active CDL job postings in St. Cloud, Minnesota pay $2,552/week on average (median $2,000) through November 2026. Based on 1,382 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,968. Minnesota freight moves on the I-35 / I-94 Twin Cities metro grid and reaches the Great Lakes at Duluth, with large agricultural export volumes — soybeans, corn, and wheat — and a significant medical-device manufacturing sector.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
St. Cloud, Minnesota vs Minnesota: the numbers that diverge
| St. Cloud, Minnesota | Minnesota | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,552 | $2,324 | +10% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 90% | 84% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: St. Cloud, Minnesota sits 10% above the Minnesota baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in St. Cloud, Minnesota
Across active CDL postings in St. Cloud, Minnesota 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) | $2,342 | $2,150 | 632 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,582 | $1,550 | 420 |
| Owner Operator | $7,203 | $7,500 | 330 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across St. Cloud, Minnesota
9% of St. Cloud, Minnesota's active CDL postings are regional and 90% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Across St. Cloud, Minnesota CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 88% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Minnesota
Minnesota freight moves on the I-35 / I-94 Twin Cities grid and reaches the Great Lakes at Duluth, a significant Lake Superior port. Agricultural exports — soybeans, corn, wheat — drive heavy outbound volume. A significant medical-device manufacturing sector (Medtronic and others) generates high-value freight. Winter is the dominant operational variable: sub-zero stretches affect equipment, idle-time policy, and HOS realism. Minnesota has a high graduated state income tax — among the higher rates in the country. First-time Twin Cities runs should check truck-route restrictions carefully.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Best owner-operator companies in St. Cloud, Minnesota
- CDL driver salary in Minnesota
The methodology behind the 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.