Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (May 2026)
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania as of May 2026, the typical CDL driver brings home $2,764 per week (median $2,000). Based on 1,415 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,135. Pennsylvania freight flows on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 / I-78 / I-80) through the state's industrial core, with Port of Philadelphia handling petroleum and bulk cargo and a dense manufacturing base in Pittsburgh and the Lehigh Valley.
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 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania compares to Pennsylvania
| Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,764 | $2,132 | +30% |
| Take-truck-home | 86% | 77% | +9 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 61% | +8 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 67% | 59% | +8 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 69% | +15 pt |
| Local routes | 1% | 9% | -8 pt |
| Regional routes | 13% | 19% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania's biggest divergence from Pennsylvania is on average weekly pay, 30% above the state baseline.
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 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) | $2,236 | $2,042 | 625 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,581 | $1,500 | 451 |
| Owner Operator | $7,262 | $7,375 | 339 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
13% of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania's active CDL postings are regional and 84% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 86%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 69% and riders-allowed at 67%.
Driving CDL in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the most operationally complex CDL markets in the country. The PA Turnpike runs east-west across the state and serves much of the Northeast freight backbone, but the tolls add up — most fleets factor PA toll cost into route decisions. Winter in the Allegheny passes is the real operational variable: ice and snow on I-80 between Bloomsburg and DuBois is a frequent issue from December through March. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia anchor very different lane profiles — Pittsburgh leans industrial and steel, Philadelphia leans port and pharmaceutical. PA has a low flat state income tax compared to neighboring NY and NJ.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Best owner-operator companies in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- CDL driver salary in Pennsylvania
Where this data comes from
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.