Truck Driver Salary in California
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in California. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$62,020
CDL-B Avg
$56,800
Non-CDL Avg
$53,310
Owner-Op Gross
$310,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How California truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in California
California's cost of living is 42% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$62,020
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$43,676
After adjusting for California's cost of living index of 142, a CDL-A salary of $62,020 provides the same purchasing power as $43,676 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which California metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the California 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 California
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in California, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $73,184 | 166 | Rising |
| San Bernardino | $69,462 | 120 | Rising |
| San Francisco | $69,462 | 179 | Rising |
| Sacramento | $69,462 | 128 | Rising |
| San Diego | $69,462 | 160 | Rising |
| San Jose | $69,462 | 172 | Rising |
| Fresno | $66,982 | 108 | Rising |
| Bakersfield | $64,501 | 110 | Rising |
| Stockton | $64,501 | 115 | Rising |
| El Centro | $59,539 | 102 | Stable |
Salary Trend in California
California leads the nation in trucker pay due to Ports of LA/Long Beach volume, strict emissions regulations creating driver scarcity, and AB5 labor law impacts on independent contractors.
California vs National Average
| Category | CA | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $62,020 | $59,710 | +$2,310 |
| Cost of Living | 142 | 100 | +42 |
| Adjusted Pay | $43,676 | $59,710 | $-16,034 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in California
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in California, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$62,000 - $88,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$64,000 - $90,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$65,000 - $92,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$65,500 - $92,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$67,500 - $95,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$68,500 - $97,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$72,000 - $101,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$48,000 - $67,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$54,000 - $76,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$47,000 - $66,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in California
Why is California truck driver pay so high?
California's $62,020 average is driven by massive port freight volume (Ports of LA/Long Beach handle 40% of US imports), strict CARB emissions requirements, and high demand in the Central Valley agricultural corridor.
Is California trucker pay worth the cost of living?
Despite the highest nominal pay, California's 142% cost of living index means the $62,020 average has purchasing power of only $43,676. Many drivers earn in California but live in Nevada or Arizona.
What are the best paying trucking jobs in California?
Port drayage drivers in LA/Long Beach and hazmat tanker drivers earn well above the state average, and owner-operators running cross-border loads gross considerably more again.
What does California pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in California
- Entry Level driver pay in California
- Mid Level driver pay in California
- Experienced driver pay in California
- Veteran driver pay in California