Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Lakewood, California (May 2026)
Through May 2026, Lakewood, California CDL drivers earn $2,209 per week on average. The median is $1,800; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 708 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,147. 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.
What CDL drivers are earning across Lakewood, California
Across active CDL postings in Lakewood, 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) | $1,582 | $1,500 | 363 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,231 | $2,075 | 221 |
| Owner Operator | $7,380 | $7,500 | 124 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Lakewood, California drivers actually run
The route mix in Lakewood, California this month tilts OTR: 12% regional, 77% OTR, 7% local, 4% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across Lakewood, California CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 36% dedicated, 75% take-truck-home, 64% pet-friendly, 61% riders-allowed.
Where Lakewood, California differs from the California baseline
| Lakewood, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,209 | $2,381 | -7% |
| Dedicated routes | 36% | 30% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Lakewood, California
- CDL driver salary in California
How we compile these rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.