Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Wilmington, Delaware (July 2026)
Through July 2026, Wilmington, Delaware CDL drivers earn $2,786 per week on average. The median is $2,047; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,331 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,888. Wilmington anchors I-95 between Philadelphia and Baltimore, with the Port of Wilmington handling produce and auto imports and a dense concentration of chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing in the Wilmington industrial corridor.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Wilmington, Delaware compares to Delaware
| Wilmington, Delaware | Delaware | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,786 | $2,533 | +10% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 84% | 79% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Wilmington, Delaware sits 10% above the Delaware baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Wilmington, Delaware
Across active CDL postings in Wilmington, Delaware 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) | $2,240 | $2,050 | 599 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,586 | $1,500 | 403 |
| Owner Operator | $7,288 | $7,500 | 329 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Wilmington, Delaware
Of active CDL postings in Wilmington, Delaware this month, 12% are regional and 84% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 4%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Wilmington, Delaware postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 67% and riders-allowed at 65%.
Driving CDL in Delaware
Delaware sits astride I-95 between Philadelphia and Baltimore — the I-95 segment through Newark and Wilmington carries some of the densest mixed freight on the East Coast. The Port of Wilmington handles produce, autos, and bulk; chemical and pharmaceutical freight from the Wilmington industrial corridor adds hazmat-eligible loads. Delaware has a moderate graduated state income tax (top rate 6.6% on income above $60,000). The state's small geographic size means most regional drivers based here spend significant time in PA, MD, and NJ; treat DE as the I-95 transit corridor it is.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Wilmington, Delaware
- Best owner-operator companies in Wilmington, Delaware
- CDL driver salary in Delaware
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 July 2026.