Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Tennessee (May 2026)
In Tennessee as of May 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,087 per week (median $1,750). Based on 2,337 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,121. Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx global air hub and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, while Nashville-area automotive and manufacturing plants drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity.
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 Tennessee
Across active CDL postings in Tennessee 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) | $1,997 | $1,900 | 963 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,483 | $1,450 | 930 |
| Owner Operator | $6,820 | $7,000 | 444 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Tennessee
The route mix in Tennessee this month tilts OTR: 19% regional, 76% OTR, 4% local, 2% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Tennessee postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 82%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 66% and riders-allowed at 64%.
Driving CDL in Tennessee
Tennessee is a critical national freight crossroads: Memphis hosts the FedEx Express World Hub — one of the world's largest air cargo hubs by tonnage — and a major trucking interchange on I-40 / I-55, with the nightly sort cycle generating enormous regional dispatch demand. Nashville-area automotive (Nissan Smyrna) and manufacturing drive dense I-65 / I-24 lane activity. Cost of living is below the national average; Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. East TN (Chattanooga, Knoxville) is mountain-adjacent — I-40 east through the Smokies and I-24 across Monteagle pass have real winter weight.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Tennessee
- Best owner-operator companies in Tennessee
- CDL driver salary in the United States
The methodology behind the rankings
Pay carriers in the same market against each other (30% of the score). Add a five-dimension FMCSA safety percentile from SAFER (25%). Score benefits based on whether the carrier hires W2 drivers or contractors (25%). Layer on employer responsiveness and fleet scale (20%). The weights are fixed and public. Updated May 2026.