Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Tulsa, Oklahoma (November 2026)
CDL pay in Tulsa, Oklahoma averages $2,572/week (median $2,000) through November 2026. Based on 1,479 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,905. 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 November 2026
No major rank changes this month — the top carriers have held their positions since October 2026.
Where Tulsa, Oklahoma differs from the Oklahoma baseline
| Tulsa, Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,572 | $2,267 | +13% |
| Take-truck-home | 90% | 85% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 67% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 84% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Tulsa, Oklahoma sits 13% 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) | $2,291 | $2,100 | 680 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,626 | $1,600 | 449 |
| Owner Operator | $7,162 | $7,000 | 350 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 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 2% of Tulsa, Oklahoma postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 90%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 72% and riders-allowed at 69%.
Driving CDL in Tulsa
Tulsa anchors northeastern Oklahoma at the I-44 / I-244 cross. Energy-sector (Williams Companies HQ, ONEOK), aerospace, and distribution serving the Arkansas River corridor drive freight. Housing is affordable by US-metro standards. Tornado season and ice storms shape route planning.
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 November 2026.