Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Wisconsin (May 2026)
As of May 2026, CDL drivers in Wisconsin are earning a weekly average of $2,211 (median $1,750). Based on 2,089 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 29% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,186. Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison, with dairy and food processing as the dominant outbound commodity and paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generating consistent industrial loads.
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 CDL pay breaks down in Wisconsin
Across active CDL postings in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,449 | $1,400 | 875 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,149 | $2,000 | 800 |
| Owner Operator | $6,874 | $7,000 | 414 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Wisconsin
16% of Wisconsin's active CDL postings are regional and 75% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (9%).
Across Wisconsin CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 81% take-truck-home, 65% pet-friendly, 63% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Wisconsin
Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison. Dairy and food processing are dominant outbound commodities — Wisconsin's reefer freight is a national-scale segment. Paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generates consistent industrial loads. Great Lakes ports at Green Bay and Superior handle bulk cargo. Cost of living is moderate. Wisconsin has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is severe — lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the eastern third of the state; ice and salt corrosion eat equipment faster than southern states.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Wisconsin
- Best owner-operator companies in Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in the United States
The methodology behind the rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.