How Much Does a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver (CDL) Make in California (CA) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in California (CA)
$66,020/yr ($31.74/hr · $51,170 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$51,500 ($24.76/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$89,130 ($42.85/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,968.07
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$47.61/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $24.76/hr | $51,500 | −$10,871.25 | $40,628.75 | $1,562.64 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $31.74/hr | $66,020 | −$14,850.13 | $51,169.87 | $1,968.07 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $42.85/hr | $89,130 | −$23,088.85 | $66,041.15 | $2,540.04 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($26.36/hr)California ($31.74/hr)Florida ($25.55/hr)New York ($31.20/hr)Illinois ($27.71/hr)Arizona ($26.09/hr)New Jersey ($30.13/hr)Georgia ($25.82/hr)North Carolina ($25.55/hr)Washington ($30.93/hr)Pennsylvania ($26.63/hr)Ohio ($25.29/hr)Nevada ($26.36/hr)Colorado ($28.51/hr)Virginia ($28.25/hr)Massachusetts ($31.47/hr)Michigan ($25.82/hr)Tennessee ($24.75/hr)Indiana ($25.02/hr)Maryland ($29.05/hr)Minnesota ($27.98/hr)Missouri ($24.75/hr)Wisconsin ($26.09/hr)Oregon ($28.25/hr)Connecticut ($29.86/hr)Utah ($26.09/hr)South Carolina ($24.48/hr)Alabama ($23.67/hr)Louisiana ($23.94/hr)Kentucky ($23.94/hr)Oklahoma ($23.94/hr)Kansas ($24.75/hr)Iowa ($25.02/hr)New Mexico ($24.75/hr)Arkansas ($23.40/hr)Mississippi ($22.86/hr)Nebraska ($25.29/hr)Idaho ($25.02/hr)Hawaii ($29.05/hr)New Hampshire ($27.71/hr)Maine ($25.55/hr)Rhode Island ($27.44/hr)Montana ($24.75/hr)Delaware ($27.17/hr)South Dakota ($24.48/hr)North Dakota ($25.55/hr)Alaska ($29.32/hr)Vermont ($26.36/hr)West Virginia ($23.13/hr)Wyoming ($25.55/hr)