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Truck drivers (CDL) in California: what they earn
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in California earned a median $60,230 a year in May 2025, $28.96 an hour. 205,090 people held the job, 11.3 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 3% above the national figure of $58,640, and California ranks 19 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a truck driver in California — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). ↓
The full wage spread in California
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20.11 | $41,830 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $23.43 | $48,740 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $28.96 | $60,230 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $34.77 | $72,330 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $39.41 | $81,960 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $29.82 | $62,020 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
California against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Wyoming | $60,310 | 6,050 |
| 17 | Indiana | $60,290 | 59,090 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $60,280 | 6,960 |
| 19 | California | $60,230 | 205,090 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $60,190 | 3,620 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $59,820 | 4,070 |
| 22 | Ohio | $59,800 | 83,060 |
The complete ranking is on the Truck drivers (CDL) page.
Against the national figure
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $60,230 | $58,640 |
| Median hourly | $28.96 | $28.19 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $41,830 | $40,140 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $81,960 | $79,380 |
| Employed | 205,090 | 2,062,040 |
Other trades in California
Electricians ($76,160) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($72,830) · HVAC technicians ($72,560) · Welders ($58,060)
See all five ranked by pay in California.
How to become a truck driver in California
The California DMV issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 (intrastate) or 21 (interstate or hazmat), hold a DOT medical certificate, and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training plus California's 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training. The licensing authority is California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Hold a California noncommercial license, complete a DOT medical examination, pass the knowledge test(s) (three attempts each), and hold the CLP at least 14 days before the skills test. | — | CDL knowledge test(s) | — |
| Class A CDL | After 14 days on the CLP, complete ELDT and California's 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training (form DL 1236), then pass the skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control, road test; three tries). Class A covers combinations over 26,001 lbs towing over 10,000 lbs. | — | CDL skills/driving test | $100 |
| Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT, federal) | Since February 7, 2022, first-time CDL applicants must complete theory and behind-the-wheel training from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before obtaining the CDL. | — | — | — |
Reciprocity. You must obtain a CDL through your home state; it is illegal to hold a driver's license from more than one state.
Licensing sources: California DMV Commercial Driver's Licenses (retrieved 2026-09-16) · FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as a truck driver in California?
The California DMV issues the CDL under federal FMCSA rules: you must be 18 (intrastate) or 21 (interstate or hazmat), hold a DOT medical certificate, and complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training plus California's 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
What does it cost to get licensed as a truck driver in California?
The main application or license fee is $100; separate exam or endorsement fees can apply, as noted in the table above.
How long does it take to become a truck driver in California?
It depends on which credential you need and the training and testing each step takes — the full path is in the table above.
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.