Updated September 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Suffolk, Virginia (September 2026)
Through September 2026, the average CDL driver in Suffolk, Virginia earns $2,842 per week (median $2,100). Based on 1,378 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,886. Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads, the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast (55 ft after the Gateway dredging program), with I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connecting it to the mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets.
What changed in September 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Suffolk, Virginia differs from the Virginia baseline
| Suffolk, Virginia | Virginia | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,842 | $2,292 | +24% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 65% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 88% | 77% | +11 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 18% | -7 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Suffolk, Virginia differs most from Virginia — 24% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Suffolk, Virginia
Across active CDL postings in Suffolk, Virginia 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) | $2,268 | $2,100 | 640 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,623 | $1,600 | 394 |
| Owner Operator | $7,178 | $7,000 | 344 |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
What Suffolk, Virginia drivers actually run
The route mix in Suffolk, Virginia this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 88% OTR, 0% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Suffolk, Virginia postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
Driving CDL in Virginia
Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads — the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast and a top-tier US container gateway. The I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connect Norfolk to mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets, with I-81 north-south through the Shenandoah Valley a major regional freight spine. Cost of living varies widely (high in Northern Virginia, moderate elsewhere). Virginia has a moderate graduated state income tax. Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) congestion is consistently top-tier; central and western VA is generally easier driving.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Suffolk, Virginia
- Best owner-operator companies in Suffolk, Virginia
- CDL driver salary in Virginia
The methodology behind the rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated September 2026.