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Wilmington, DE

Truck Driver Salary in Wilmington

2026 salary data for CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator truck drivers in Wilmington, Delaware. Compare local pay to state and national averages.

CDL-A Avg

$63,063

CDL-B Avg

$47,297

Non-CDL Avg

$40,360

Owner-Op Gross

$163,964

Salary Comparison by License Type

How Wilmington truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.

CDL-A
$63,063
CDL-B
$47,297
Non-CDL
$40,360
Owner-Op (Gross)
$163,964

Cost of Living in Wilmington

Cost of Living Index105
Low (75)National Avg (100)High (200)

Wilmington's cost of living is near the national average, offering a balanced ratio of salary to expenses for truck drivers.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay

Nominal CDL-A Salary

$63,063

Adjusted Purchasing Power

$60,060

After adjusting for Wilmington's cost of living index of 105, a CDL-A salary of $63,063 provides the same purchasing power as $60,060 in an average-cost area. The higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher local expenses.

Wilmington vs Delaware vs National Average

MetricWilmingtonDE AvgNational
CDL-A Average$63,063$59,800$58,710
vs State+$3,263
vs National+$4,353
Cost of Living105104100
Adjusted Purchasing Power$60,060$57,500$58,710

Salary Trend in Wilmington

Stable

Trucking pay in Wilmington has remained steady, supported by consistent freight demand from financial services & banking and chemical manufacturing (dupont legacy). The Delaware market offers reliable work with predictable earnings for CDL drivers.

Top Paying Companies in Wilmington

These carriers and logistics companies offer some of the highest truck driver pay in the Wilmington area.

CompanyAvg Annual Pay
1FedEx Freight$76,983
2XPO Logistics$74,874
3Estes Express$73,819
4ABF Freight$72,765

Industries Driving Trucking Demand in Wilmington

These industries generate the most freight volume and trucking employment in the Wilmington market.

1
Financial Services & Banking
2
Chemical Manufacturing (DuPont legacy)
3
Pharmaceutical
4
Fruit Import & Distribution
5
Automotive

Find Trucking Jobs in Wilmington

Browse CDL driver positions in Wilmington, DE from top carriers and local companies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Wilmington

What is the average truck driver salary in Wilmington, DE?

CDL-A truck drivers in Wilmington, Delaware earn an average of $63,063 per year. Actual pay varies based on experience, endorsements, and whether you drive OTR, regional, or local routes. The Wilmington market is influenced by financial services & banking and chemical manufacturing (dupont legacy) freight demand.

How much do owner-operators make in Wilmington?

Owner-operators based in Wilmington gross approximately $163,964 annually before expenses. After deducting fuel, insurance, maintenance, and truck payments, net income typically ranges from $62,306 to $78,703. The Wilmington area's cost of living index of 105 is near the national average.

Is Wilmington a good city for trucking jobs?

Wilmington offers strong trucking employment thanks to its financial services & banking and chemical manufacturing (dupont legacy) sectors. The city's cost of living is near the national average, which provides a balanced ratio of earnings to expenses. CDL drivers with hazmat or tanker endorsements can earn 10-20% above the city average.