Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Gardena, California (May 2026)
$2,218/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Gardena, California as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $1,800, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 696 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,100. 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.
Gardena, California CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Gardena, 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) | $1,589 | $1,525 | 355 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,229 | $2,075 | 219 |
| Owner Operator | $7,370 | $7,500 | 122 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Gardena, California
12% of Gardena, California's active CDL postings are regional and 78% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (10%).
Across Gardena, California CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 36% dedicated, 75% take-truck-home, 65% pet-friendly, 61% riders-allowed.
How Gardena, California compares to California
| Gardena, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,218 | $2,381 | -7% |
| Dedicated routes | 36% | 30% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Gardena, California sits 7% below the California baseline.
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 Gardena, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Gardena, California
- CDL driver salary in California
Where this data comes from
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated May 2026.