Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Surprise, Arizona (May 2026)
Active CDL job postings in Surprise, Arizona pay $2,837/week on average (median $2,100) through May 2026. Based on 1,137 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,005. Arizona sits on the I-10 cross-border corridor with Mexico, with major freight flows through Phoenix and Tucson and growing semiconductor manufacturing in the Phoenix metro.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How CDL pay breaks down in Surprise, Arizona
Across active CDL postings in Surprise, Arizona 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) | $2,265 | $2,100 | 503 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,630 | $1,600 | 344 |
| Owner Operator | $7,295 | $7,500 | 290 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Surprise, Arizona
The route mix in Surprise, Arizona this month tilts OTR: 9% regional, 89% OTR, 1% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Surprise, Arizona CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Where Surprise, Arizona differs from the Arizona baseline
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Surprise, Arizona sits 9% above the Arizona baseline.
Driving CDL in Arizona
Arizona freight runs on the I-10 cross-border corridor with Mexico — Nogales is one of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — and through Phoenix and Tucson metro distribution. Semiconductor fabs in the Phoenix metro add a high-value freight segment on top of the regional distribution base. Summer heat is the dominant operational variable: ambient temperatures above 110°F change how equipment behaves and how long you can run before forced cooling stops. Arizona has a low flat state income tax and generally favorable trucking regulations.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Surprise, Arizona
- Best owner-operator companies in Surprise, Arizona
- CDL driver salary in Arizona
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 May 2026.