If you are looking for the current salary of a CDL driver, you are in the right place. In general, a CDL driver in the United States earns an average of $97,106 per year. However, several factors make this number vary. This post will cover all these factors, and list the top highest salary you can earn by city and job. Keep reading to break down everything you need to understand “How much do CDL drivers make” in this industry.
What factors affect the salary of a CDL driver?
The salary of a CDL driver is determined by several factors, from state, experience, endorsements, and even type of trailer. Here is the breakdown of the main influences:
Region
Where you drive plays an important role in your total income. Overall, drivers in the West and South tend to earn less than their counterparts in other parts of the United States. Long-haul or OTR (over-the-road) drivers are the least affected in terms of salary no matter where they are based.
In addition, many companies also offer drivers a per-mole pay scale ranging from $0.60 to $0.70. Therefore, regional drivers can increase their total income when driving across states. Local drivers often drive within a 50-mile radius and transport goods over shorter distances between a warehouse and a retail store, customer’s home, or workplace. No additional endorsements are required for a local driver, though, their salary can lower.
Type of vehicles
The type of vehicle a driver hauls also affects pay. Here are general examples:
- Dry van drivers are usually the lowest paid.
- Reefer drivers usually have a higher pay scale due to the physical nature of the work, not to mention the danger that sometimes comes with hauling over-dimensional or overweight freight.
Type of route
Drivers on different routes earn varying amounts. An ORT driver, generally having to be on the road for extended time away from home, can have higher salaries than regional or local drivers. Specifically:
- ORT drivers: around $93,863 annually
- Regional driver: paid more than local drivers, around $70,00 per year, since they are home every week.
- Local drivers: usually home each day, earning a bit less than regional drivers, about $66,198 per year.
Experience level
One of the major determining factors in the salary of a CDL driver will be experience. Low or no-experience drivers will make less because businesses have to take into account higher insurance premiums for drivers without experience.
As experience on the road builds up, drivers learn how to maximize route efficiency, stay within industry regulations, and grow their income. Experienced drivers, who have a track record to prove themselves, can negotiate for higher salaries.
Extra endorsements
Obtaining special endorsements can raise a CDL driver’s salary significantly. Each endorsement will grant the driver the ability to haul different types of specialized loads, each with an associated higher pay. Some special endorsements that can help you increase your pay are:
- Hazardous materials (H endorsement)
- Double/Triple Trailers (T endorsement)
- Passenger transport (P endorsement)
- School buses (S endorsement)
- Tank vehicle (N endorsement)
- Combination of H and N – X endorsement
Company size
Company size is another factor in how much money a CDL driver makes. While smaller companies may pay higher wages to attract drivers, they lack many of the resources and stability of larger carriers. Larger companies can offer more consistent workloads, better benefits, and more experienced managers but their pay scale may be lower compared to smaller competitors.
External factors
A CDL driver’s salary also depends on several external factors, including:
- Border crossing: Some drivers experience delays at customs or border crossings. They can receive extra compensation for the time they spend waiting. However, it usually does not equate to the time lost.
- Traffic: Drivers operating in crowded states such as California or New York can get caught up in traffic and lose their precious hours. Traffic congestion can reduce the total number of deliveries or trips drivers can complete per day, which in turn negatively impacts their total earnings.
- Repairs: You might have to delay your work if your truck experiences an issue. Some companies offer extra pay for a waiting period while unscheduled repairs are done on a truck during delivery.
How much do CDL drivers make?
The earnings of a CDL driver can vary significantly by state. Here is the latest average salary breakdown for trucking drivers in the United States:
- Hourly: $32.28
- Daily: $368
- Weekly: $1,777
- Monthly: $6,875
- Annually: $97,106
The average annual salary paid to entry-level drivers is around $51,393, while experienced drivers can expect salaries closer to the national average or even higher.
The top 10 highest-paying CDL jobs
Following are the top 10 paying CDL jobs in the United States along with job duties and acreage salaries, according to Indeed (updated on October 7, 2025):
| Job Title | Average Salary (per year) | Description |
| Owner-Operator | $321,684 | Self-employed drivers operating their own independent trucking business |
| Long-haul truck driver | $110,023 | Drivers travel long distances to transport goods |
| Team Drivers | $108,319 | Two drivers take turns driving to allow for non-stop deliveries. |
| Specialty Vehicle Haulers | $98,815 | Transport specialty or high-value vehicles |
| Liquid/Tanker Drivers | $90,899 | Drivers haul liquids, which often require additional training |
| HazMat Drivers | $85,690 | Drivers transport hazardous materials |
| Oversize Load Drivers | $80,438 | Drivers haul oversized goods that are too large to be transported in conventional means |
| Regional Truck Drivers | $75,877 | Drivers operate regionally and return home on the weekend |
| Mining Industry Drivers | $74,931 | Drivers operate trucks in mining and heavy industry settings |
| Ice Road Drivers | $66,422 | Drivers involved in driving in extreme cold over ice roads |
The top 9 highest-paying cities for CDL jobs
Below are listed the top cities in the U.S. paying the highest average CDL driver salaries:
| City | Average Salary |
| Dallas, TX | $99,863 per year |
| Phoenix, AZ | $98,268 per year |
| Chicago, IL | $97,895 per year |
| Houston, TX | $96,194 per year |
| Louisville, KY | $96,122 per year |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $95,833 per year |
| Nashville, TN | $94,338 per year |
| Atlanta, GA | $94,211 per year |
| Charlotte, NC | $92,391 per year |
FAQS
1. What is the highest-paying CDL job?
The owner-operator truck drivers are paid the most, and their salaries range between $190,140 – $321,684 per year.
2. What trucking company pays the most for beginners?
The competitive wage for new drivers in many companies, pay will depend on location and endorsement.
3. What state pays the most for CDL?
Dallas, TX, and Phoenix, AZ tend to have some of the higher wages because these states often have a high demand for CDL truck drivers.
4. How much do CDL drivers make a week?
According to Indeed, the average pay for CDL drivers is approximately $1,777 per week.
5. How much do long-distance truck drivers make?
Those who are long-distance or ORT drivers make around $70,000 yearly.
Final thoughts
How much CDL drivers make depends on experience, location, and endorsements. For the new driver entering into the industry or one who has driven for several years, realizing the different variables that come into play with income is one of the most important components to increase your earning potential as a CDL driver. If you are interested in the salary and duties of a CDL driver, start your journey to get a CDL today. CDL Prep is always willing to assist you.
