Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Highland, California (May 2026)
Through May 2026, the average CDL driver in Highland, California earns $2,240 per week (median $1,825). Based on 694 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,219. 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.
Highland, California CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Highland, 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) | $1,586 | $1,525 | 352 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,350 | $2,150 | 217 |
| Owner Operator | $7,380 | $7,500 | 125 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Highland, California
13% of Highland, California's active CDL postings are regional and 79% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (8%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Highland, California postings; dedicated routes at 35%; take-truck-home at 77%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 67% and riders-allowed at 63%.
Highland, California vs California: the numbers that diverge
| Highland, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,240 | $2,381 | -6% |
| Dedicated routes | 35% | 30% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Highland, California differs most from California — 6% 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 Highland, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Highland, California
- CDL driver salary in California
Where this data comes from
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 May 2026.