CDL Salary in Iowa (2026 Guide)
CDL truck driver salaries in Iowa vary widely based on job type, experience, and endorsements. Here's what you can expect to earn as a CDL driver in IA in 2026.
Estimated CDL salary
$1,100–$1,700/week
Based on recent CDL job trends
Annual range
$57,400–$88,600
Per year, all CDL roles
Open jobs
3+
CDL jobs currently available in Iowa
Top hiring companies
Hirschbach Motor Lines
CDL Salary Overview in Iowa
Estimated CDL salary in Iowa: $1,100–$1,700/week ($57,400–$88,600/year). Based on recent CDL job trends. Top earners in specialized roles like tanker or hazmat can exceed $100,000 per year.
Salary by Job Type
Pay varies significantly depending on whether you drive local, regional, or over-the-road routes in Iowa.
- Local CDL drivers: $45,000–$65,000/year — home daily, lower mileage pay
- Regional CDL drivers: $55,000–$75,000/year — multi-state routes, weekly home time
- OTR CDL drivers: $60,000–$85,000/year — nationwide routes, highest mileage pay
- Owner-operators: $80,000–$150,000+/year — higher earnings but cover own expenses
Factors That Affect CDL Pay
Several factors influence how much you can earn as a CDL driver in Iowa.
- Years of experience — new drivers typically start 15–20% below average
- CDL endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples) can add $5,000–$15,000/year
- Route type and distance — OTR generally pays more than local
- Company vs. independent — owner-operators earn more but have higher expenses
- Freight type — specialized loads like refrigerated or oversized pay premiums
CDL Driver Salary by Role in Iowa
| Role | Entry Level | Experienced | Top Earners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local CDL-A | $42K | $62K | $78K |
| OTR CDL-A | $52K | $72K | $95K |
| Regional | $48K | $68K | $85K |
| Owner Operator | $60K | $95K | $130K+ |
| Tanker/Hazmat | $58K | $82K | $115K+ |
| Team Driver | $65K | $88K | $110K+ |
What Affects CDL Driver Salary in Iowa
- Endorsements: Tanker (N) adds ~$8K/year, Hazmat (H) adds ~$12K/year, the X combination unlocks the highest-paying loads.
- Experience: New CDL drivers start 15–20% below average; with 2+ years, pay typically jumps to mid-range or above.
- Freight type: Specialized loads (refrigerated, flatbed, oversized, tanker) pay 10–25% more than standard dry van.
- Home time tradeoff: OTR and team driving pay the most but require weeks out; local and home-daily routes pay less but offer nightly home time.
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