Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Long Beach, California (November 2026)
$2,195/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Long Beach, California as of November 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $1,825, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 711 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,101. Long Beach is home to the Port of Long Beach — the second-busiest US container port — with dense drayage corridors on I-710 feeding Inland Empire warehouses and transloading facilities throughout the LA basin.
What changed in November 2026
- median weekly pay fell by 1.4% ($1,850 → $1,825).
- Postings offering pets allowed fell from 64% to 62%.
What CDL drivers are earning across Long Beach, California
Across active CDL postings in Long Beach, 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 | $1,530 | 359 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,385 | $2,250 | 240 |
| Owner Operator | $7,404 | $7,650 | 112 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
What Long Beach, California drivers actually run
13% of Long Beach, California's active CDL postings are regional and 78% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (9%).
Across Long Beach, California CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 37% dedicated, 74% take-truck-home, 62% pet-friendly, 60% riders-allowed.
Long Beach, California vs California: the numbers that diverge
| Long Beach, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,195 | $2,270 | -3% |
| Dedicated routes | 37% | 32% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, dedicated routes is where Long Beach, California differs most from California — 5 points above statewide.
Driving CDL in Long Beach
Long Beach is home to the Port of Long Beach (one of the largest US container ports). CDL work here is dominated by drayage — I-710 to the Inland Empire warehouse cluster is the dense corridor. Port operations have strict TWIC, appointment, and clean-truck (CARB) requirements. Cost of living is high; pay runs near the national average.
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 emissions rules are the strictest in the US, so engine year and compliance matter for fleet work — if you're owner-op, check current CARB rules before buying a truck. Drayage out of LA / Long Beach and warehouse-rotation work in the Inland Empire pay above the national average, but cost of living is brutal. The mountain passes (Grapevine, Donner, plus high winds on Cajon) 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 Long Beach, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Long Beach, California
- CDL driver salary in California
How we compile these 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 November 2026.