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CDL Salary in Tennessee

How much does a CDL make in Tennessee? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a CDL in Tennessee is $55,988 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,292
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $49,996 to $62,428
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,542
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out CDL Job Openings in Tennessee

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 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): $41,470
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,353
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,646
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,260
  • Expert (over 8 years): $69,938
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Product Inspector I less than 1 year $41,470
Product Inspector II 1-2 years $46,353
CDL 2-4 years $54,646
Product Inspector IV 5-8 years $65,260
Product Quality Supervisor over 8 years $69,938

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: $66,334.
  • California: $66,083.
  • Massachusetts: $65,202.

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:

  • Cornersville: $55,029
  • Lexington: $53,971
  • Iron City: $52,089

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 $67,185 $32.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $66,065 $32.0 18%
Insurance $64,386 $31.0 15%
Healthcare $62,706 $30.0 12%
Internet $62,146 $30.0 11%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$49,996
Average $55,988/year
$62,428
$4,166
Average $4,666/month
$5,202
$961
Average $1,077/week
$1,201
$24
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,428 $5,202 $1,201 $30
Average $55,988 $4,666 $1,077 $27
25th Percentile $49,996 $4,166 $961 $24

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.

  • Fuchs Trucking, LLC | Lenoir City, TN

    CDL

    Fuchs Trucking, LLC | Lenoir City, TN

    Fuchs Trucking (rhymes with books. ) was founded in 1955 and is still going strong today as a full-service trucking and logistics company We have career op... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Ascend, Inc. | Knoxville, TN

    CDL

    Ascend, Inc. | Knoxville, TN

    Job Description:CDL-A COMPANY TRUCK DRIVERS, WE HAVE WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU. WEEKLY HOME TIMETOP PAY and INDUSTRY LEADING BENEFITSQUALITY EQUIPMENTEXCELL... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Ascend | Clinton, TN

    CDL

    Ascend | Clinton, TN

    Job Description:CDL-A COMPANY TRUCK DRIVERS, WE HAVE WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU. WEEKLY HOME TIMETOP PAY and INDUSTRY LEADING BENEFITSQUALITY EQUIPMENTEXCELL... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Brown Trucking | Cleveland, TN

    CDL

    Brown Trucking | Cleveland, TN

    The Brown Trucking driver experience is unique in every way. From incredibly flexible home time to unmatched dispatcher support and competitive weekly pay,... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Riverside Transport, Inc. | Clarksville, TN

    CDL

    Riverside Transport, Inc. | Clarksville, TN

    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

    4 Days Ago

  • Sonepar | Johnson City, TN

    CDL

    Sonepar | Johnson City, TN

    Your next career opportunityAs one of the largest utility distribution organizations in America, we constantly strive to bring our best to our customers, s... more

    4 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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