Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Tempe, Arizona (November 2026)
CDL drivers in Tempe, Arizona earn $2,696 per week on average through November 2026. The median is $2,100, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,163 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 33% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,986. Arizona sits on the I-10 east-west corridor and the I-19 border route to Nogales, with major freight flows through Phoenix and Tucson and growing semiconductor manufacturing in the Phoenix metro.
What changed in November 2026
- median weekly pay fell by 2.3% ($2,150 → $2,100).
Tempe, Arizona CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Tempe, 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) | $2,387 | $2,200 | 537 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,635 | $1,600 | 347 |
| Owner Operator | $7,360 | $7,500 | 279 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Tempe, Arizona
Of active CDL postings in Tempe, Arizona this month, 9% are regional and 90% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Across Tempe, Arizona CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 29% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Where Tempe, Arizona differs from the Arizona baseline
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Tempe, Arizona differs most from Arizona — 7% above statewide.
Driving CDL in Arizona
Arizona freight runs on the I-19 / I-10 corridor from the Nogales border crossing — one of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — through Tucson and Phoenix 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.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Tempe, Arizona
- Best owner-operator companies in Tempe, Arizona
- CDL driver salary in Arizona
Where this data comes from
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated November 2026.