Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Urbandale, Iowa (November 2026)
CDL pay in Urbandale, Iowa averages $2,528/week (median $2,000) through November 2026. Based on 1,481 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,958. Iowa freight is shaped by its agricultural output — corn, soybeans, and ethanol — moving on I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south, with Des Moines serving as the primary distribution crossroads.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 2.8% ($2,600 → $2,528).
How Urbandale, Iowa compares to Iowa
| Urbandale, Iowa | Iowa | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,528 | $2,279 | +11% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 89% | 81% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Urbandale, Iowa sits 11% above the Iowa baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Urbandale, Iowa
Across active CDL postings in Urbandale, Iowa 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) | $2,281 | $2,100 | 675 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,602 | $1,595 | 464 |
| Owner Operator | $7,189 | $7,375 | 342 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Urbandale, Iowa drivers actually run
The route mix in Urbandale, Iowa this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 89% OTR, 0% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Urbandale, Iowa CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 89% take-truck-home, 70% pet-friendly, 69% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Iowa
Iowa freight is shaped by the state's agricultural output — corn, soybeans, ethanol, pork — moving on the I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south corridors. Des Moines serves as the primary distribution crossroads. Cedar Rapids and Davenport (Quad Cities) add manufacturing and food-processing freight. Iowa runs a moderate flat state income tax; living costs are among the lowest in the Midwest. Winter is severe — wind off the prairie plus drifting snow plus black ice on I-80 makes route timing genuinely consequential from December through March.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Urbandale, Iowa
- Best owner-operator companies in Urbandale, Iowa
- CDL driver salary in Iowa
The methodology behind the rankings
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated November 2026.