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CDL Salary in California

How much does a CDL make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CDL in California is $66,071 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a CDL's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,593
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,002 to $73,672
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,565
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out CDL Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence CDL Salaries

A CDL's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CDL Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CDL's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $48,944
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,707
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $64,488
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $66,394
  • Expert (over 8 years): $82,545
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Product Inspector I less than 1 year $48,944
Product Inspector II 1-2 years $54,707
CDL 2-4 years $64,488
Product Inspector IV 5-8 years $66,394
Product Quality Supervisor over 8 years $82,545

How Do CDL Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CDLs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $66,323.
  • California: $66,071.
  • Massachusetts: $65,191.

Top Paying Cities for CDL

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $66,185
  • West Hollywood: $66,137
  • Dodgertown: $66,185

CDL Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CDL roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CDL positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CDL as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CDL

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $79,286 $38.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $77,964 $37.0 18%
Insurance $75,982 $37.0 15%
Healthcare $74,000 $36.0 12%
Internet $73,339 $35.0 11%

CDL Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CDL's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$59,002
Average $66,071/year
$73,672
$4,917
Average $5,506/month
$6,139
$1,135
Average $1,271/week
$1,417
$28
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,672 $6,139 $1,417 $35
Average $66,071 $5,506 $1,271 $32
25th Percentile $59,002 $4,917 $1,135 $28

Find Your Next CDL Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CDL job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • C.R. England | Oceanside, CA

    CDL

    C.R. England | Oceanside, CA

    C.R. England is now hiring CDL-A Truck Drivers for a Dollar Tree Route. Drivers Average $78,000 Annually. $220 per Load Pay. Valid CDL-A. and. 3+ months of... more

    6 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Bakersfield, CA

    CDL

    C.R. England | Bakersfield, CA

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Dedicated CDL-A Drivers in Shafter, CA. Home Weekly - Drivers Average $66,000 Annually. \n. \n. \n. Va... more

    7 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Hanford, CA

    CDL

    C.R. England | Hanford, CA

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Dedicated CDL-A Drivers in Shafter, CA. Home Weekly - Drivers Average $66,000 Annually. \n. \n. \n. Va... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Werner Enterprises | South Gate, CA

    CDL

    Werner Enterprises | South Gate, CA

    Werner is Now Hiring CDL-A Driver Leaders. Pay Increase. Top Performers Earn Up to $120,500 per Year. $3,600 Peak Season Bonus. Make a Lasting Impact as a ... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Werner Enterprises | Fairfield, CA

    CDL

    Werner Enterprises | Fairfield, CA

    Werner is Now Hiring CDL-A Driver Leaders. Pay Increase. Top Performers Earn Up to $120,500 per Year. $3,600 Peak Season Bonus. Make a Lasting Impact as a ... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Werner Enterprises | Indio, CA

    CDL

    Werner Enterprises | Indio, CA

    Werner is Now Hiring CDL-A Driver Leaders. Pay Increase. Top Performers Earn Up to $120,500 per Year. $3,600 Peak Season Bonus. Make a Lasting Impact as a ... more

    28 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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