Choose from a wide range of CV templates and customize the design with a single click.
Use ATS-optimised CV and resume templates that pass applicant tracking systems. Our CV builder helps recruiters read, scan, and shortlist your CV faster.
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CV
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CVCDL driver salaries are widely misunderstood because most people focus only on base pay. In reality, compensation in trucking is driven by miles, freight type, routes, endorsements, and company structure.
If you’re searching “CDL driver salary,” you’re likely trying to answer one of three things:
How much do CDL drivers actually make per year
What separates high earners from average drivers
How to increase income quickly in this career
This guide breaks down the real numbers, how pay works behind the scenes, and what top drivers do differently.
CDL driver pay varies more than most professions because compensation is performance-based.
Typical US salary ranges:
Entry-level CDL driver: $45,000 – $65,000
Experienced company driver: $60,000 – $85,000
Specialized freight driver: $75,000 – $110,000
Owner-operator: $100,000 – $250,000+ (gross, not net)
Additional compensation includes:
Per-mile pay (CPM): $0.45 – $0.75+
Bonuses: $2,000 – $15,000 annually
Safety bonuses and performance incentives
Unlike salaried roles, CDL drivers are often paid based on output.
Most common structure:
Paid per mile driven
Typical range: $0.45 – $0.75+ per mile
Example:
2,500 miles/week × $0.60 = $1,500/week
Annualized: ~$78,000
Drivers earn:
Common in:
$60K – $90K
Long hauls, weeks away from home
Higher mileage = higher pay
$50K – $75K
Home daily
Lower earning ceiling
$60K – $85K
Per diem pay
Key insight: CDL driver income is heavily tied to productivity and freight type, not just experience.
Flatbed
Oversized loads
Tanker operations
Higher risk = higher pay.
Typical for:
Local delivery
Construction
LTL freight
Rates:
Drivers run their own trucks.
Revenue:
Expenses include:
Fuel
Maintenance
Insurance
Truck payments
Net income typically: $70K – $150K+
Balanced schedule
Moderate mileage
Includes:
Hazmat
Tanker
Oversized loads
Ice road trucking
These roles command premium pay due to risk and skill.
Top drivers consistently earn:
$90K – $130K (company drivers)
$150K+ (owner-operators net potential)
They maximize:
Miles driven
High-paying freight
Efficient routes
From a recruiter and fleet manager perspective, this is common.
Drivers with fewer miles:
Drivers who avoid:
Hazmat
Tanker
Flatbed
Miss higher-paying opportunities.
Deadhead miles (unpaid miles) reduce income significantly.
Some companies:
Offer lower CPM
Limit earning potential
More miles = more pay.
Top drivers:
Optimize schedules
Reduce downtime
Most impactful:
Hazmat (H)
Tanker (N)
Doubles/Triples (T)
These can increase income by 15%–40%.
High-paying niches:
Fuel hauling
Chemical transport
Oversized loads
Top-paying companies offer:
Higher CPM
Consistent miles
Performance bonuses
Higher risk, higher reward.
Best for drivers who:
Understand costs
Manage operations efficiently
Most drivers underestimate how much their resume affects pay and opportunities.
Weak Example:
“Drove trucks and delivered goods”
Good Example:
“Completed 120,000+ accident-free miles annually, maintaining 99% on-time delivery rate across multi-state routes”
Safety record
Miles driven annually
Freight type
Endorsements
On-time delivery rate
These directly influence job offers and pay rates.
Candidate Name: Michael Thompson
Target Role: CDL Class A Truck Driver (Specialized Freight)
Location: Dallas, TX
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Experienced CDL Class A Driver with 8+ years of over-the-road and specialized freight experience. Proven track record of maintaining safety standards, optimizing routes, and delivering high-value cargo efficiently across nationwide routes.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Long-Haul Trucking
Route Optimization
Safety Compliance
Freight Handling
Time Management
Vehicle Inspection
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CDL Class A Driver | National Freight Company | Dallas, TX | 2019 – Present
Completed 130,000+ miles annually with zero safety incidents
Transported hazardous materials across 15+ states with full compliance
Maintained 98% on-time delivery rate
Reduced fuel costs by optimizing routes and driving efficiency
CDL Driver | Regional Carrier | Houston, TX | 2016 – 2019
Delivered goods across regional routes with consistent performance
Maintained vehicle safety and compliance standards
Achieved top driver performance awards for reliability
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
CDL Class A License
Hazmat Endorsement
Tanker Endorsement
Higher CPM has the biggest impact.
Consistent miles = predictable income.
Look at:
Bonuses
Benefits
Equipment quality
Typical progression:
Entry CDL Driver → $45K–$65K
Experienced Driver → $65K–$85K
Specialized Driver → $80K–$120K
Owner-Operator → $100K–$250K+ gross
Different freight = different pay levels.
Large networks:
Less downtime = higher earnings.
Fleet managers prioritize:
Safety record
Reliability
Efficiency
Compliance
Drivers who demonstrate these consistently earn more opportunities.
Reality: Mileage and freight type matter more.
Reality: Pay varies massively by role and specialization.
Reality: Only if expenses are managed well.
CDL driver salaries are not fixed.
They depend on:
Miles driven
Freight specialization
Efficiency
Strategic career choices
If you want higher earnings, don’t just drive more.
Drive smarter, choose better freight, and position yourself for high-value routes.
Upload CV
Import from Linkedin
