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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Freight Driver in California is $53,017 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.
However, a Freight Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Freight Driver Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $59,186 | $4,932 | $1,138 | $28 |
| Average | $53,017 | $4,418 | $1,020 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,252 | $4,021 | $928 | $23 |
SPS-North America - Santa Clara, CA
TForce Logistics - San Leandro, CA
TForce Freight - San Leandro, CA
Harris & Sons Logistics LLC - Lancaster, CA
A Freight Driver'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Freight Driver'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Freight Driver | $51,715 |
| Intermediate Level Freight Driver | $52,563 |
| Senior Level Freight Driver | $54,559 |
| Specialist Level Freight Driver | $54,832 |
| Expert Level Freight Driver | $55,285 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Freight Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Freight Driver roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 106% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Freight Driver positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Freight Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $74,224 | $36.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $68,922 | $33.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $66,271 | $32.0 | 25% |
| Chemicals | $63,620 | $31.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $60,970 | $29.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Freight Driver'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $59,186 | $4,932 | $1,138 | $28 |
| Average | $53,017 | $4,418 | $1,020 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,252 | $4,021 | $928 | $23 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Freight Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
ASB Freight Co
Los Angeles, CA
ASB Freight Co | Los Angeles, CA
Full-Time Position. Regional driving opportunity for experienced Class A CDL drivers. This position offers weekly home time, dry van freight, and a mileage... more
11 Days Ago
Truck with Jed Logistics
Chula Vista, CA
Truck with Jed Logistics | Chula Vista, CA
Class A Driver. Bold Safe Trucking is a top employer of CDL Truck Drivers across the country. In addition to a great starting salary, we offer great benefi... more
10 Days Ago
ASB Freight Co.
San Bernardino, CA
ASB Freight Co. | San Bernardino, CA
Position Overview:We're hiring Class A CDL drivers for a Southwest Regional dry van position offering weekly home time, steady miles, and a Driver Pay Prot... more
9 Days Ago
ASB Freight Co.
Sacramento, CA
ASB Freight Co. | Sacramento, CA
Position OverviewWe're hiring experienced Class A CDL drivers for a Southwest Regional position offering weekly home time, predictable routes, and competit... more
9 Days Ago
ASB Freight Co
Sacramento, CA
ASB Freight Co | Sacramento, CA
Class A CDL DriverWe're hiring experienced Class A CDL drivers for a Southwest Regional position offering weekly home time, predictable routes, and competi... more
9 Days Ago
Roadway Moving
San Mateo, CA
Roadway Moving | San Mateo, CA
Job Description:Class A CDL Driver OTR Freight $0.80/Mile $150,000 $200,000+About the Company:Founded in 2008 by Ross Sapir, Roadway Moving is built on the... more
9 Days Ago
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