Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Wilson, North Carolina (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Wilson, North Carolina CDL drivers earn $2,641 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,470 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,080. North Carolina freight moves on I-85 through the Charlotte-to-Raleigh-Durham manufacturing corridor and I-95 north-south, with Port of Wilmington handling containerized exports and a large furniture and textiles production base.
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 Wilson, North Carolina compares to North Carolina
| Wilson, North Carolina | North Carolina | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,641 | $2,219 | +19% |
| Take-truck-home | 89% | 82% | +7 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 71% | 65% | +6 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 87% | 76% | +11 pt |
| Regional routes | 11% | 17% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Wilson, North Carolina's biggest divergence from North Carolina is on average weekly pay, 19% above the state baseline.
What CDL drivers are earning across Wilson, North Carolina
Across active CDL postings in Wilson, North Carolina 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) | $2,157 | $2,000 | 664 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,595 | $1,550 | 443 |
| Owner Operator | $7,143 | $7,000 | 363 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Wilson, North Carolina drivers actually run
The route mix in Wilson, North Carolina this month tilts OTR: 11% regional, 87% OTR, 1% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Wilson, North Carolina postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 89%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 71% and riders-allowed at 69%.
Driving CDL in North Carolina
North Carolina CDL work spans a broad mix — port-and-container out of Wilmington and Morehead City, manufacturing in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham), distribution and textile freight around Charlotte, and tobacco / agricultural loads from the eastern half of the state. The driver-experience profile is generally favorable: moderate winters, no significant mountain work outside the western tip, and a cost of living well below the national average even in the metro areas. State income tax is flat and moderate. I-85 between Greensboro and Charlotte is one of the busier Southeast freight lanes; weekday congestion through Greensboro is a planning variable. NC is one of the better states for a new CDL driver to build experience without immediately running mountains or severe weather.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Wilson, North Carolina
- Best owner-operator companies in Wilson, North Carolina
- CDL driver salary in North Carolina
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.