Truck Driver Salary in Illinois
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Illinois. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$62,430
CDL-B Avg
$52,400
Non-CDL Avg
$53,300
Owner-Op Gross
$250,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Illinois truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Illinois
Illinois's cost of living is 4% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$62,430
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$65,031
After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living index of 96, a CDL-A salary of $62,430 provides the same purchasing power as $65,031 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in Illinois than the raw salary suggests.
Which Illinois metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Illinois 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 Illinois
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Illinois, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $73,667 | 107 | Rising |
| Springfield | $62,430 | 90 | Stable |
| Peoria | $62,430 | 96 | Stable |
| Rockford | $62,430 | 96 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Illinois
Illinois offers top-tier trucking wages anchored by Chicago, the nation's largest intermodal hub. The convergence of six Class I railroads and major interstates creates massive freight demand.
Illinois vs National Average
| Category | IL | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $62,430 | $59,710 | +$2,720 |
| Cost of Living | 96 | 100 | -4 |
| Adjusted Pay | $65,031 | $59,710 | +$5,321 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Illinois
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Illinois, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$57,500 - $81,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$64,500 - $91,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$65,500 - $92,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$66,000 - $93,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$68,000 - $96,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$69,000 - $97,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$72,500 - $102,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$58,500 - $83,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$48,000 - $68,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$54,500 - $77,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$55,000 - $78,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$59,500 - $84,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$57,500 - $81,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$47,000 - $66,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Illinois
What is the average truck driver salary in Illinois?
Illinois CDL-A drivers average $62,430. The state's role as the national freight crossroads supports above-average wages across all driving categories.
Why does Chicago pay truckers so well?
Chicago is the largest intermodal freight hub in North America, where six Class I railroads converge with I-90, I-80, I-55, and I-94. The sheer volume of freight creates constant driver demand and competitive wages.
What are the best trucking companies in Illinois?
Major Illinois-based carriers include Schneider National, Heartland Express, and numerous Chicago-area LTL carriers. The intermodal yards in Joliet and Chicago also employ thousands of drayage drivers.
What does Illinois pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Illinois
- Entry Level driver pay in Illinois
- Mid Level driver pay in Illinois
- Experienced driver pay in Illinois
- Veteran driver pay in Illinois