Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Waco, Texas (May 2026)
CDL pay in Waco, Texas averages $2,610/week (median $2,000) through May 2026. Based on 1,540 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,981. Texas freight moves on I-10 / I-35 / I-20 corridors connecting Gulf Coast energy and Port of Houston to border crossings at Laredo and El Paso — two of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — and large retail and manufacturing distribution inland.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Waco, Texas vs Texas: the numbers that diverge
| Waco, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,610 | $2,223 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 87% | 79% | +8 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 63% | +8 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 67% | 60% | +7 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 86% | 75% | +11 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 7% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Waco, Texas sits 17% above the Texas baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Waco, Texas
Across active CDL postings in Waco, Texas 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) | $2,207 | $2,000 | 692 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,602 | $1,550 | 483 |
| Owner Operator | $7,164 | $7,000 | 365 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Waco, Texas
11% of Waco, Texas's active CDL postings are regional and 86% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Across Waco, Texas CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 87% take-truck-home, 71% pet-friendly, 67% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is the largest CDL market in the country and the deepest mix of lane types. Cross-border work out of Laredo and El Paso, oil-field service in the Permian Basin, dedicated retail out of Dallas and Houston, and reefer pulling produce out of the Rio Grande Valley all run from different parts of the state — and they pay very differently. Texas has favorable trucking regulations and no state income tax, which is real money on the back end. The summer heat is the operational variable most newcomers underestimate; equipment, hours, and load-securing all behave differently when ambient temps hit 110°F.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Waco, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Waco, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
The methodology behind the rankings
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated May 2026.