Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Tacoma, Washington (May 2026)
Tacoma, Washington CDL drivers: $2,994 average weekly pay, $2,150 median (May 2026). Based on 1,051 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,019. Tacoma co-anchors the Northwest Seaport Alliance with Seattle, handling containers and bulk cargo, with the Port of Tacoma's deep-water facilities and I-5 / SR-512 corridors connecting to regional distribution and I-90 inland routes.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Tacoma, Washington vs Washington: the numbers that diverge
| Tacoma, Washington | Washington | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,994 | $2,728 | +10% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 81% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Tacoma, Washington's biggest divergence from Washington is on average weekly pay, 10% above the state baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Tacoma, Washington
Across active CDL postings in Tacoma, Washington 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) | $2,321 | $2,100 | 456 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,611 | $1,525 | 316 |
| Owner Operator | $7,387 | $7,500 | 279 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Tacoma, Washington drivers actually run
10% of Tacoma, Washington's active CDL postings are regional and 86% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (4%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Tacoma, Washington postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 87%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Washington
Washington freight flows through the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma — a major West Coast container complex — with I-5 north-south and I-90 east-west carrying forest-products freight, agricultural exports from the Yakima Valley (apples, hops, wine grapes), and technology-sector loads. Mountain passes on I-90 (Snoqualmie, Stevens) are aggressive winter operational variables; chain laws apply liberally from November through April. Cost of living is high in the Puget Sound metros. Washington has no state income tax — meaningful comp pull for drivers based here.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Tacoma, Washington
- Best owner-operator companies in Tacoma, Washington
- CDL driver salary in Washington
The methodology behind the rankings
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated May 2026.