Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Fairfield, California (May 2026)
Fairfield, California, May 2026: CDL drivers average $2,259/week (median $1,826). Based on 657 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,301. 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 May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Fairfield, California vs California: the numbers that diverge
| Fairfield, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,259 | $2,381 | -5% |
| Riders-allowed policies | 64% | 59% | +5 pt |
| Local routes | 4% | 9% | -5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 81% | 76% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Fairfield, California sits 5% below the California baseline.
How CDL pay breaks down in Fairfield, California
Across active CDL postings in Fairfield, 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) | $1,598 | $1,530 | 334 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,369 | $2,225 | 200 |
| Owner Operator | $7,410 | $7,500 | 123 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Fairfield, California drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Fairfield, California this month, 13% are regional and 81% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 6%.
Across Fairfield, California CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 34% dedicated, 78% take-truck-home, 67% pet-friendly, 64% riders-allowed.
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 Fairfield, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Fairfield, California
- CDL driver salary in California
The methodology behind the rankings
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.