Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in California
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in California earn a median annual wage of $60,230 —2.7% above the national median of $58,640. That ranks CA #19 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.85× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $70,100 | $33.70 | 3,420 | 0.79 |
| 2 | Washington | $64,760 | $31.13 | 40,530 | 0.86 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $64,170 | $30.85 | 830 | 0.09 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $63,570 | $30.56 | 47,980 | 0.84 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $63,030 | $30.30 | 30,890 | 0.64 |
| 6 | Nevada | $62,290 | $29.95 | 15,010 | 0.73 |
| 7 | New York | $62,050 | $29.83 | 63,700 | 0.50 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $61,990 | $29.80 | 38,770 | 0.99 |
| 9 | Oregon | $61,980 | $29.80 | 23,970 | 0.92 |
| 10 | Colorado | $61,500 | $29.57 | 25,350 | 0.67 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $40,240 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $37,330 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $46,790 | $44,860 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $46,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $62,890 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $36,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers make in California?
The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in California is $60,230, or $28.96 per hour. That is 2.7% above the national median of $58,640.
What is the entry-level heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $41,830 per year ($20.11/hour). The 25th percentile is $48,740.
How many people work as heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in California?
About 205,090 people work in this occupation in California, or 11.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers?
California ranks #19 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.85x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage at $70,100 per year, followed by Washington ($64,760) and District of Columbia ($64,170).