Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Sumter, South Carolina (May 2026)
As of May 2026, CDL drivers in Sumter, South Carolina are earning a weekly average of $2,627 (median $2,000). Based on 1,491 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,039. 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 May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Sumter, South Carolina differs from the South Carolina baseline
| Sumter, South Carolina | South Carolina | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,627 | $2,267 | +16% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 78% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Sumter, South Carolina differs most from South Carolina — 16% above statewide.
Sumter, South Carolina CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Sumter, 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) | $2,147 | $2,000 | 685 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,602 | $1,560 | 444 |
| Owner Operator | $7,161 | $7,000 | 362 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Sumter, South Carolina drivers actually run
12% of Sumter, South Carolina's active CDL postings are regional and 87% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Across Sumter, South Carolina CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 69% 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 Sumter, South Carolina
- Best owner-operator companies in Sumter, South Carolina
- CDL driver salary in South Carolina
Where this data comes from
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.