Truck Driver salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Truck Driver in California earns a median of $60,230 a year ($28.96/hour equivalent), 2.7% above the national median of $58,640. California ranks #19 of 51 states. About 205,090 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $48,138 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,851 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,316.54
- Federal income tax
- −$194.14
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$143.63
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$33.59
- California income tax
- −$63.59
- CA SDI
- −$30.12
- Take-home pay
- $1,851.48
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $60,230
- Federal
- $5,048
- FICA
- $4,608
- State + local
- $2,436
- Net
- $48,138
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 6.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska | $70,100 |
| #2 | Washington | $64,760 |
| #3 | District of Columbia | $64,170 |
| #4 | New Jersey | $63,570 |
| #5 | Massachusetts | $63,030 |
| #19 | California | $60,230 |
| #49 | New Mexico | $50,500 |
| #50 | West Virginia | $49,480 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $49,320 |
See the national Truck Driver salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Truck Driver make in California?
The median salary is $60,230 a year and the average is $62,020 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers?
California ranks #19 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 3% above the national median of $58,640.
What is $60,230 after taxes in California?
About $48,138 a year ($1,851 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.