Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) Salary in California
Statewide median pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what it costs to get into the trade here.
Median annual
$58,270
statewide
Median hourly
$28.02
per hour
Jobs in state
204,190
people employed
Cost to enter
$146
licence + training
What the licence costs against the pay
At the state median, the licence and training pay for themselves in roughly 0.0 months of work. That is the number to compare when you are choosing between states — a cheaper licence in a lower-paying state can still be the slower route to break even.
Pay in other states
| State | Median annual | Licence cost | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $58,270 | $146 | 0 mo |
| Florida | $52,760 | $75 | 0 mo |
| Texas | $54,550 | $122 | 0 mo |
How to read these numbers
- Median, not average. A handful of very high earners drag the average up; the median is the middle person.
- Statewide. Metro pay in this trade often runs 10–25% above the state figure, and rural areas below it.
- Before overtime. BLS base pay excludes overtime and shift differentials, which matter a lot in this trade.
Sources
- BLS OEWS state table (archive snapshot)Median annual wage for Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) in California, May 2024
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/“If you have never had a commercial driver’s license (CDL) ... you first need to get a CLP and hold it for at least 14 days.”
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/licensing-fees/“Commercial Class A or B Application Original Fee $100 ... Application Renewal Fee $59 ... Commercial driving or skill retest Fee $46”
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/“Successful completion of Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) conducted by a registered training provider listed on the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR) is required”
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/“If you have a valid CDL from another state that is current or has been expired for less than two years, you can surrender that license”