Truck Driver Salary in Delaware
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Delaware. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$57,380
CDL-B Avg
$48,200
Non-CDL Avg
$46,480
Owner-Op Gross
$205,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Delaware truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Delaware
Delaware's cost of living is 4% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$57,380
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$55,173
After adjusting for Delaware's cost of living index of 104, a CDL-A salary of $57,380 provides the same purchasing power as $55,173 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which Delaware metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Delaware average scaled for metro size. Where two metros show the same number it is because they sit in the same population band — we do not hold data fine-grained enough to separate them, and we would rather say so than invent a difference.
Salary by City in Delaware
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Delaware, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $59,675 | 105 | Stable |
| Dover | $55,085 | 99 | Stable |
| Newark | $55,085 | 102 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Delaware
Delaware trucking pay benefits from the I-95 corridor and Port of Wilmington activity. The state's strategic location between Philadelphia and Baltimore keeps freight volumes consistent.
Delaware vs National Average
| Category | DE | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $57,380 | $59,710 | $-2,330 |
| Cost of Living | 104 | 100 | +4 |
| Adjusted Pay | $55,173 | $59,710 | $-4,537 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Delaware
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Delaware, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$53,000 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$57,500 - $81,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$60,000 - $85,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$60,500 - $86,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$62,500 - $88,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$63,500 - $89,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$66,500 - $94,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$54,000 - $76,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$44,500 - $62,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$50,000 - $71,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$50,500 - $71,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$53,000 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$43,500 - $61,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Delaware
What do truckers earn in Delaware?
Delaware CDL-A drivers average $57,380 annually. Wilmington drivers earn the most thanks to port operations and proximity to the Philadelphia metro logistics network.
Is Delaware a good base for truck drivers?
Delaware's central East Coast location, no sales tax, and moderate cost of living make it attractive. Drivers can easily access freight from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the Port of Wilmington.
What freight moves through Delaware?
The Port of Wilmington handles fruit imports (largest banana port on the East Coast), along with chemicals from the DuPont corridor and general merchandise moving along I-95 between major Northeast cities.
What does Delaware pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Delaware
- Entry Level driver pay in Delaware
- Mid Level driver pay in Delaware
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- Veteran driver pay in Delaware