Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in West Allis, Wisconsin (May 2026)
CDL drivers in West Allis, Wisconsin earn $2,582 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $2,000, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 1,550 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,089. Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison, with dairy and food processing as the dominant outbound commodity and paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generating consistent industrial loads.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
West Allis, Wisconsin vs Wisconsin: the numbers that diverge
| West Allis, Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,582 | $2,211 | +17% |
| Take-truck-home | 88% | 81% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 65% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 68% | 63% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 85% | 75% | +10 pt |
| Local routes | 2% | 7% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
West Allis, Wisconsin's biggest divergence from Wisconsin is on average weekly pay, 17% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across West Allis, Wisconsin
Across active CDL postings in West Allis, Wisconsin 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) | $2,224 | $2,000 | 686 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,539 | $1,500 | 502 |
| Owner Operator | $7,170 | $7,250 | 362 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in West Allis, Wisconsin
12% of West Allis, Wisconsin's active CDL postings are regional and 85% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of West Allis, Wisconsin postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 88%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in Wisconsin
Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison. Dairy and food processing are dominant outbound commodities — Wisconsin's reefer freight is a national-scale segment. Paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generates consistent industrial loads. Great Lakes ports at Green Bay and Superior handle bulk cargo. Cost of living is moderate. Wisconsin has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is severe — lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the eastern third of the state; ice and salt corrosion eat equipment faster than southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in West Allis, Wisconsin
- Best owner-operator companies in West Allis, Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in Wisconsin
How we compile these rankings
Composite-score formula: compensation × 0.30, FMCSA safety × 0.25, benefits × 0.25, operational performance × 0.20. Compensation is anchored on pay percentile and lifted by sign-on bonus tier and guaranteed-pay availability. Operational performance is built mostly from driver-application response data in Lanefinder's platform, with fleet-scale percentile contributing a smaller portion. Updated May 2026.