Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Tulsa, Oklahoma (May 2026)
CDL pay in Tulsa, Oklahoma averages $2,663/week (median $2,000) through May 2026. Based on 1,450 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,016. Tulsa sits at the I-44 / I-244 / US-75 nexus on the Arkansas River, with ONEOK and Williams energy-sector headquarters driving pipe and equipment freight, aerospace manufacturing, and agricultural loads from northeast Oklahoma.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Tulsa, Oklahoma differs from the Oklahoma baseline
| Tulsa, Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,663 | $2,301 | +16% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 83% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Tulsa, Oklahoma sits 16% above the Oklahoma baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Across active CDL postings in Tulsa, Oklahoma 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) | $2,238 | $2,012 | 640 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,621 | $1,600 | 450 |
| Owner Operator | $7,145 | $7,000 | 360 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Tulsa, Oklahoma drivers actually run
10% of Tulsa, Oklahoma's active CDL postings are regional and 89% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (1%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Tulsa, Oklahoma postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 90%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 73% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Oklahoma
Oklahoma freight is shaped by the I-35 / I-40 cross at Oklahoma City — a major north-south and east-west junction with substantial through-traffic. Energy-sector service loads from the Anadarko and Arkoma basins add oil-and-gas equipment freight, especially in active drilling cycles. Agricultural freight (wheat, cattle, cotton) is steady outbound. Tornado season (April-June) shapes spring dispatch across the state — route planners watch the outlooks. Oklahoma has a low graduated state income tax; housing and operating costs are among the lowest in any major US state.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Best owner-operator companies in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- CDL driver salary in Oklahoma
The methodology behind the rankings
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 May 2026.