Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in St. Louis, Missouri (November 2026)
Through November 2026, the average CDL driver in St. Louis, Missouri earns $2,408 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,621 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,022. St. Louis is a major river and rail crossroads at I-70 / I-55 / I-44 on the Mississippi, with barge terminal activity, Anheuser-Busch beverage freight, automotive manufacturing, and chemical-corridor loads defining the lane mix.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 3.9% ($2,507 → $2,408).
How St. Louis, Missouri compares to Missouri
| St. Louis, Missouri | Missouri | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,408 | $2,129 | +13% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 83% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 79% | +7 pt |
| Regional routes | 12% | 17% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: St. Louis, Missouri sits 13% above the Missouri baseline.
St. Louis, Missouri CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in St. Louis, Missouri 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) | $2,260 | $2,100 | 726 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,561 | $1,500 | 532 |
| Owner Operator | $7,085 | $7,000 | 363 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What St. Louis, Missouri drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in St. Louis, Missouri this month, 12% are regional and 86% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 2%.
Across St. Louis, Missouri CDL postings: 3% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 88% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in St. Louis
St. Louis is one of the older US freight crossroads — Mississippi River intermodal, dense rail-truck interchange, automotive (General Motors Wentzville). I-70 / I-44 / I-55 corridors all meet here. Housing costs run below the national average. Tornado activity in spring is a real operational variable.
Driving CDL in Missouri
Missouri freight is shaped by the St. Louis and Kansas City hubs anchoring the I-70 / I-44 / I-55 corridors. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers provide barge access for agricultural and bulk commodity transfers. St. Louis is one of the older US freight crossroads — the rail-truck interchange there is dense and complicated. Living costs sit comfortably below the national average; Missouri has a low-to-moderate graduated state income tax. Tornado season typically peaks in spring and shapes dispatch in central and southern MO.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in St. Louis, Missouri
- Best owner-operator companies in St. Louis, Missouri
- CDL driver salary in Missouri
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 November 2026.