Best cities for a cdl driver
The best cities for cdl drivers are Detroit, MI, Memphis, TN, and Columbus, OH, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for cdl drivers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for cdl drivers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a cdl driver or considering a move, this list of the best cities for cdl drivers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for cdl drivers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a cdl driver. While the absolute best city for cdl drivers is Detroit, MI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for cdl drivers in 2024.
If you're looking for a cdl driver job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for cdl drivers in 2026
1. Detroit, MI
Cdl driver jobs in DetroitTotal cdl driver jobs: 73 Average annual salary: $62,484 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 2.48 2. Memphis, TN
Cdl driver jobs in MemphisTotal cdl driver jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $64,611 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 3.30 3. Columbus, OH
Cdl driver jobs in ColumbusTotal cdl driver jobs: 152 Average annual salary: $62,790 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 1.71 4. New Orleans, LA
Cdl driver jobs in New OrleansTotal cdl driver jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $63,193 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 3.20 5. Wichita, KS
Cdl driver jobs in WichitaTotal cdl driver jobs: 254 Average annual salary: $67,592 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 4.22 6. Cincinnati, OH
Cdl driver jobs in CincinnatiTotal cdl driver jobs: 237 Average annual salary: $63,102 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 1.31 7. Fort Wayne, IN
Cdl driver jobs in Fort WayneTotal cdl driver jobs: 181 Average annual salary: $64,227 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 3.34 8. Oklahoma City, OK
Cdl driver jobs in Oklahoma CityTotal cdl driver jobs: 232 Average annual salary: $67,825 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 2.43 9. Greensboro, NC
Cdl driver jobs in GreensboroTotal cdl driver jobs: 201 Average annual salary: $63,416 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 1.68 10. Indianapolis, IN
Cdl driver jobs in IndianapolisTotal cdl driver jobs: 75 Average annual salary: $64,644 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 2.43
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Best cities for cdl drivers
- Detroit, MI
- Memphis, TN
- Columbus, OH
- New Orleans, LA
- Wichita, KS
- Cincinnati, OH
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Greensboro, NC
- Indianapolis, IN
Detailed list of the best cities for a cdl driver
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $62,484 | $41,000 | 672,795 | 73 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $64,611 | $42,000 | 652,717 | 23 |
| 3 | Columbus, OH | $62,790 | $41,000 | 860,090 | 152 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $63,193 | $41,000 | 391,495 | 22 |
| 5 | Wichita, KS | $67,592 | $44,000 | 389,902 | 254 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $63,102 | $41,000 | 298,800 | 237 |
| 7 | Fort Wayne, IN | $64,227 | $42,000 | 264,488 | 181 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $67,825 | $44,000 | 638,367 | 232 |
| 9 | Greensboro, NC | $63,416 | $41,000 | 287,027 | 201 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $64,644 | $42,000 | 855,164 | 75 |
| 11 | Tulsa, OK | $67,823 | $44,000 | 403,090 | 167 |
| 12 | Milwaukee, WI | $64,597 | $42,000 | 595,047 | 148 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $62,699 | $41,000 | 1,567,872 | 45 |
| 14 | Toledo, OH | $62,443 | $40,000 | 278,508 | 182 |
| 15 | North Las Vegas, NV | $69,729 | $44,000 | 238,702 | 65 |
| 16 | Reno, NV | $68,130 | $42,000 | 245,255 | 180 |
| 17 | Albuquerque, NM | $65,364 | $42,000 | 559,277 | 91 |
| 18 | Omaha, NE | $66,507 | $43,000 | 446,970 | 72 |
| 19 | Kansas City, MO | $66,263 | $43,000 | 481,420 | 142 |
| 20 | Virginia Beach, VA | $62,415 | $41,000 | 452,602 | 83 |
| 21 | Winston-Salem, NC | $63,464 | $41,000 | 242,203 | 169 |
| 22 | Oyster Bay, NY | $63,074 | $41,000 | 293,214 | 6 |
| 23 | Newark, NJ | $63,144 | $41,000 | 281,764 | 53 |
| 24 | Garland, TX | $62,933 | $41,000 | 234,943 | 73 |
| 25 | Arlington, TX | $62,897 | $41,000 | 392,772 | 207 |
| 26 | Henderson, NV | $69,538 | $44,000 | 292,969 | 120 |
| 27 | Las Vegas, NV | $69,623 | $44,000 | 632,912 | 198 |
| 28 | Louisville, KY | $65,058 | $42,000 | 597,337 | 113 |
| 29 | Chesapeake, VA | $62,446 | $41,000 | 237,940 | 214 |
| 30 | Cleveland, OH | $62,241 | $40,000 | 385,809 | 142 |
| 31 | Pittsburgh, PA | $63,094 | $41,000 | 303,625 | 216 |
| 32 | Norfolk, VA | $62,434 | $41,000 | 245,115 | 203 |
| 33 | Mesa, AZ | $64,070 | $41,000 | 484,587 | 174 |
| 34 | Lexington, KY | $64,926 | $42,000 | 318,449 | 204 |
| 35 | Minneapolis, MN | $63,421 | $41,000 | 413,651 | 164 |
| 36 | Raleigh, NC | $63,299 | $41,000 | 458,880 | 211 |
| 37 | Madison, WI | $64,728 | $42,000 | 252,551 | 116 |
| 38 | Charlotte, NC | $63,511 | $42,000 | 842,051 | 169 |
| 39 | Lincoln, NE | $66,726 | $43,000 | 280,364 | 119 |
| 40 | Phoenix, AZ | $64,108 | $41,000 | 1,615,017 | 139 |
| 41 | Islip, NY | $63,070 | $41,000 | 335,543 | 3 |
| 42 | Nashville, TN | $64,529 | $42,000 | 660,388 | 67 |
| 43 | Lubbock, TX | $63,221 | $41,000 | 252,506 | 68 |
| 44 | Glendale, AZ | $64,071 | $41,000 | 245,895 | 79 |
| 45 | Dallas, TX | $62,904 | $41,000 | 1,317,929 | 160 |
| 46 | Buffalo, NY | $63,072 | $41,000 | 256,902 | 225 |
| 47 | Saint Paul, MN | $63,422 | $41,000 | 302,398 | 99 |
| 48 | Fort Worth, TX | $62,915 | $41,000 | 854,113 | 99 |
| 49 | Laredo, TX | $60,763 | $40,000 | 257,156 | 109 |
| 50 | Saint Louis, MO | $65,894 | $43,000 | 311,404 | 41 |
Highest paying cities for cdl drivers
| Rank | City | Avg. cdl driver salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $72,415 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City, OK | $67,825 |
| 3 | Kansas City, KS | $67,365 |
| 4 | Salt Lake City, UT | $67,255 |
| 5 | Omaha, NE | $66,507 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $66,452 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $66,263 |
| 8 | Newark, DE | $65,661 |
| 9 | Bowling Green, KY | $65,224 |
| 10 | Columbus, IN | $64,700 |
| 11 | Memphis, TN | $64,611 |
| 12 | Milwaukee, WI | $64,597 |
| 13 | Atlanta, GA | $64,579 |
| 14 | Columbia, MD | $64,400 |
| 15 | Jacksonville, AR | $64,150 |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $64,108 |
| 17 | Columbus, MS | $63,943 |
| 18 | Denver, CO | $63,878 |
| 19 | Des Moines, IA | $63,644 |
| 20 | Charlotte, NC | $63,511 |
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Updated January 8, 2025