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CDL Salary in the United States

How much does a CDL make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CDL in the United States is $59,902 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a CDL's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,067
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,492 to $66,793
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,657
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out CDL Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence CDL Salaries

A CDL's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CDL Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CDL's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,374
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,599
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $58,466
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,194
  • Expert (over 8 years): $74,837
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Product Inspector I less than 1 year $44,374
Product Inspector II 1-2 years $49,599
CDL 2-4 years $58,466
Product Inspector IV 5-8 years $60,194
Product Quality Supervisor over 8 years $74,837

How Do CDL Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CDLs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $66,323.
  • California: $66,071.
  • Massachusetts: $65,191.

Top Paying Cities for CDL

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $75,554
  • San Francisco: $74,727
  • Oakland: $73,152

CDL Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CDL roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CDL positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CDL as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CDL

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $71,882 $35.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $70,684 $34.0 18%
Insurance $68,887 $33.0 15%
Healthcare $67,090 $32.0 12%
Internet $66,491 $32.0 11%

How Education impacts a CDL's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CDL professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CDL with a Associate's is between $56,562 and $60,468.

CDL Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CDL
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 60%
High School 60%
Associate's Degree 40%
Bachelor's Degree 0%
Master's Degree or MBA 0%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

CDL Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CDL's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$53,492
Average $59,902/year
$66,793
$4,458
Average $4,992/month
$5,566
$1,029
Average $1,152/week
$1,284
$26
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $66,793 $5,566 $1,284 $32
Average $59,902 $4,992 $1,152 $29
25th Percentile $53,492 $4,458 $1,029 $26

Most common benefits for CDL

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for CDL

Here are companies hiring for CDL and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next CDL Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CDL job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Riverside Transport, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    CDL

    Riverside Transport, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Hiring CDL-A Truck DriversONE COMPANY. MANY PATHS - OTR, Dedicated & Yard opportunitiesPAY YOU CAN PLAN AROUND - Earn up to $93,600 per year GET PAID TO GE... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Gordon Food Service | Columbus, OH

    CDL

    Gordon Food Service | Columbus, OH

    CDL - A Local Delivery DriverLocation:1111 Rarig Ave, Columbus, OHDo you have a passion for driving. Are you looking for more home time. Picture yourself a... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    Tanker truck driverAverage pay:$850-$1,440 weeklyHome time:WeeklyExperience:All CDL holdersOverviewTanker trailer hauling liquid chemicals.Home for 34-48-h... more

    7 Days Ago

  • AIM Transportation Solutions | Columbus, OH

    CDL

    AIM Transportation Solutions | Columbus, OH

    Job Description:Join Us as a CDL-A Shuttle Truck Driver. Hourly Rate:$24.00Shift/Schedule:Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pmEfficiently shuttle equipment to a... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about CDL

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CDL?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for CDL roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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