Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Wilmington, Delaware (November 2026)
Through November 2026, Wilmington, Delaware CDL drivers earn $2,569 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,364 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,931. 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 November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 4.4% ($2,686 → $2,569).
- median weekly pay fell by 2.2% ($2,045 → $2,000).
- average sign-on bonus rose by 1.8% ($1,897 → $1,931).
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) | $2,275 | $2,100 | 632 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,590 | $1,550 | 407 |
| Owner Operator | $7,230 | $7,250 | 325 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 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 1% of Wilmington, Delaware postings; dedicated routes at 29%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 66% and riders-allowed at 65%.
How Wilmington, Delaware compares to Delaware
| Wilmington, Delaware | Delaware | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,569 | $2,484 | +3% |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 78% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on OTR (long-haul) routes: Wilmington, Delaware sits 5 points above the Delaware baseline.
Driving CDL in Wilmington
Wilmington anchors I-95 between Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Port of Wilmington handles produce and auto imports; chemical manufacturing in the Wilmington industrial corridor adds hazmat-eligible freight. The Delaware Memorial Bridge crossing into New Jersey is a regular chokepoint. Atlantic nor'easters affect winter operations.
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 heaviest truck volume in Delaware. 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 November 2026.