Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in United States (November 2026)
United States's CDL drivers earn $1,506 per week on average, $1,400 median, as of November 2026. Based on 6,187 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 26% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,179.
What changed in November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
United States CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in United States 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,325 | $1,300 | 3,780 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $1,864 | $1,750 | 1,773 |
| Owner Operator | $6,308 | $6,000 | 634 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across United States
The route mix in United States this month tilts OTR: 25% regional, 44% OTR, 25% local, 6% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of United States postings; dedicated routes at 35%; take-truck-home at 57%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 45% and riders-allowed at 44%.
Related guides
Where this data comes from
Carriers are scored against carriers in their own market. The composite is 30% compensation (pay + bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement cadence), 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits (W2 vs owner-op scoring), and 20% operational performance (responsiveness + fleet scale). No paid placement — the weights are the same for every carrier in the index. Updated November 2026.