Updated September 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in San Diego, California (September 2026)
Through September 2026, 204 carriers in San Diego, California contract owner-operators across the lanes Lanefinder tracks. WESTERN MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT INC leads with an average gross weekly revenue of $8,500. Rickman Transport, LLC follows at $9,250/week gross. San Diego handles the Otay Mesa port of entry — one of the busiest US-Mexico commercial crossings — with cross-border manufacturing, biotech and pharmaceutical freight, and Port of San Diego supporting regional distribution.
What changed in September 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How San Diego, California compares to California
| San Diego, California | California top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $7,802 | $6,574 | +19% |
| Riders-allowed policies | 82% | 90% | -8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where San Diego, California differs most from California — 19% above statewide.
The owner-operator carriers leading San Diego, California this month
The top of the list is WESTERN MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT INC at $8,500/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1WESTERN MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT INC — $8,500/wk
WESTERN MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT INC leads the San Diego, California market on combined gross revenue and ranking score this month. WESTERN MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT INC's gross weekly revenue ranks in the 91st percentile across San Diego, California. WESTERN MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT INC ranks in the 93rd percentile for driver fitness on FMCSA SAFER data. The carrier tracks as a responsive employer on Lanefinder's data.
#2Rickman Transport, LLC — $9,250/wk
Rickman Transport, LLC's gross weekly revenue ranks in the 95th percentile across San Diego, California. Rickman Transport, LLC's top FMCSA dimension is unsafe-driving avoidance, in the 91st percentile.
For sign-on cash, Rickman Transport, LLC posts the largest bonus in San Diego, California's top 10 at $6,000.
#3Always Franklin LLC — $8,250/wk
Always Franklin LLC pays above the 85th percentile on gross weekly revenue for the San Diego, California market. Always Franklin LLC's FMCSA score is strongest on unsafe-driving avoidance — 94th percentile.
Also in the top 10: #4 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk, #5 GNS TRUCKING INC at $9,000/wk, #6 BLUE LIGHTNING LOGISTICS at $7,000/wk, #7 KILO METER LOGISTIC INC at $7,500/wk, #8 TP TRUCKING at $8,500/wk, #9 ZAIETS TRANSPORTATION LLC at $8,675/wk, #10 ARCHER HOLDING GROUP at $8,000/wk.
How drivers spend their time on the road in San Diego, California
The route mix in San Diego, California this month tilts OTR: 12% regional, 87% OTR, 1% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of San Diego, California postings; dedicated routes at 39%; take-truck-home at 86%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 69% and riders-allowed at 68%.
Driving CDL in California
California is one of the toughest states to drive CDL in the country, and one of the most lucrative for the right setup. CARB clean-truck enforcement is the most aggressive in the US, so newer equipment is effectively required for fleet work — if you're owner-op, plan the truck purchase around it. Drayage out of LA / Long Beach and warehouse-rotation work in the Inland Empire pay near the top of the national scale, but cost of living is brutal. The mountain passes (Cajon, Grapevine, Donner) add real winter complexity that most other Southwest lanes don't. Drivers with serious mountain experience earn it back.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in San Diego, California
- CDL driver salary in San Diego, California
- Best owner-operator companies in California
The methodology behind the rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated September 2026.