Updated September 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Wilmington, Delaware (September 2026)
Through September 2026, Wilmington, Delaware CDL drivers earn $2,794 per week on average. The median is $2,050; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,356 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,892. 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 September 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
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) | $2,278 | $2,100 | 615 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,583 | $1,535 | 409 |
| Owner Operator | $7,221 | $7,250 | 332 |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Wilmington, Delaware
Of active CDL postings in Wilmington, Delaware this month, 13% are regional and 83% 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 29%; take-truck-home at 84%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 66% and riders-allowed at 65%.
How Wilmington, Delaware compares to Delaware
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Wilmington, Delaware sits 9% above the Delaware baseline.
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 September 2026.