Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Cerritos, California (November 2026)
Cerritos, California CDL drivers earn $2,172 per week on average (median $1,812) as of November 2026. Based on 726 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,164. California freight is dominated by the Port of LA / Long Beach complex, Central Valley agriculture, and the Inland Empire warehouse cluster along I-10 and I-15.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 1.1% ($2,196 → $2,172).
- median weekly pay fell by 2.1% ($1,850 → $1,812).
- Postings offering pets allowed fell from 64% to 62%.
What CDL drivers are earning across Cerritos, California
Across active CDL postings in Cerritos, California this month, pay varies meaningfully by hiring type. The breakdown below shows the average and median weekly pay for each.
| Hiring type | Avg/wk | Median/wk | Active postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,594 | $1,530 | 367 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,372 | $2,225 | 246 |
| Owner Operator | $7,451 | $7,700 | 113 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Cerritos, California
13% of Cerritos, California's active CDL postings are regional and 77% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (10%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Cerritos, California postings; dedicated routes at 38%; take-truck-home at 74%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 62% and riders-allowed at 60%.
Where Cerritos, California differs from the California baseline
| Cerritos, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,172 | $2,270 | -4% |
| Dedicated routes | 38% | 32% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, dedicated routes is where Cerritos, California differs most from California — 6 points above statewide.
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 emissions rules are the strictest in the US, so engine year and compliance matter for fleet work — if you're owner-op, check current CARB rules before buying a truck. Drayage out of LA / Long Beach and warehouse-rotation work in the Inland Empire pay above the national average, but cost of living is brutal. The mountain passes (Grapevine, Donner, plus high winds on Cajon) 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 Cerritos, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Cerritos, California
- CDL driver salary in California
How we compile these rankings
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated November 2026.