Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Waukegan, Illinois (May 2026)
$2,341/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Waukegan, Illinois as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $1,875, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,789 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,207. Illinois anchors the US rail and truck network through Chicago, the largest intermodal hub in North America, with I-80 / I-90 / I-55 feeding a dense concentration of manufacturing, warehousing, and cold-chain freight.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Waukegan, Illinois compares to Illinois
| Waukegan, Illinois | Illinois | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,341 | $2,055 | +14% |
| Take-truck-home | 86% | 80% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 64% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 66% | 61% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 80% | 71% | +9 pt |
| Regional routes | 14% | 19% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Waukegan, Illinois differs most from Illinois — 14% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in Waukegan, Illinois
Across active CDL postings in Waukegan, Illinois 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) | $2,206 | $2,000 | 762 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,514 | $1,462 | 634 |
| Owner Operator | $7,028 | $7,000 | 393 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Waukegan, Illinois
Of active CDL postings in Waukegan, Illinois this month, 14% are regional and 80% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 6%.
Across Waukegan, Illinois CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 86% take-truck-home, 69% pet-friendly, 66% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Illinois
Illinois is one of the most strategically located CDL states — Chicago is the largest US intermodal rail hub, so a huge percentage of national freight passes through. The metro lanes pay well but congestion on I-80, I-90, and I-294 is consistent enough to be a real income variable. Outside the Chicago metro, downstate Illinois looks much more like Iowa or Indiana — agricultural freight, less density, easier driving. State income tax is moderate. The winter operational profile is severe: lake-effect snow, road salt, and the freezing-thawing cycle eat equipment faster than most southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Waukegan, Illinois
- Best owner-operator companies in Waukegan, Illinois
- CDL driver salary in Illinois
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 May 2026.