Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Hawthorne, California (May 2026)
Hawthorne, California CDL drivers: $2,219 average weekly pay, $1,800 median (May 2026). Based on 691 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,112. 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.
Hawthorne, California CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Hawthorne, 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) | $1,593 | $1,526 | 351 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,228 | $2,062 | 218 |
| Owner Operator | $7,430 | $7,500 | 122 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Hawthorne, California
Of active CDL postings in Hawthorne, California this month, 12% are regional and 78% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 10%.
Across Hawthorne, California CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 36% dedicated, 76% take-truck-home, 65% pet-friendly, 62% riders-allowed.
Hawthorne, California vs California: the numbers that diverge
| Hawthorne, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,219 | $2,381 | -7% |
| Dedicated routes | 36% | 30% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Hawthorne, California differs most from California — 7% below 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 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 Hawthorne, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Hawthorne, California
- CDL driver salary in California
Where this data comes from
Compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance — weighted 30, 25, 25, and 20 percent respectively. Compensation extends beyond headline pay to include sign-on bonus tier and settlement cadence. Benefits scoring differs by hiring type because the perks that matter to a W2 driver and a contractor are not the same. Updated May 2026.