Updated November 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Los Angeles, California (November 2026)
Active CDL job postings in Los Angeles, California pay $2,173/week on average (median $1,825) through November 2026. Based on 720 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,114. Los Angeles freight is dominated by the Port of LA / Long Beach complex, the largest container port in the Western Hemisphere, with dense drayage and Inland Empire warehouse traffic along I-10 and I-710.
What changed in November 2026
- average weekly pay fell by 1.1% ($2,197 → $2,173).
- median weekly pay fell by 1.4% ($1,850 → $1,825).
How CDL pay breaks down in Los Angeles, California
Across active CDL postings in Los Angeles, 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) | $1,595 | $1,530 | 363 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,369 | $2,250 | 247 |
| Owner Operator | $7,455 | $7,650 | 110 |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Lane mix and benefits across Los Angeles, California
13% of Los Angeles, California's active CDL postings are regional and 78% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (9%).
Across Los Angeles, California CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 38% dedicated, 75% take-truck-home, 63% pet-friendly, 60% riders-allowed.
Los Angeles, California vs California: the numbers that diverge
| Los Angeles, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,173 | $2,270 | -4% |
| Dedicated routes | 38% | 32% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Los Angeles, California's biggest divergence from California is on dedicated routes, 6 points above the state baseline.
Driving CDL in Los Angeles
LA CDL work spans port drayage (LA / Long Beach), Inland Empire warehouse rotation, and dense last-mile across the LA basin. Traffic is consistently in the worst US tier — off-peak windows matter. CARB clean-truck enforcement is aggressive — older engines face mounting restrictions through the Drayage Truck Regulation and Clean Truck Program, though the Advanced Clean Fleets ZEV ramp for drayage was repealed, effective Sept 2026. Cost of living is high; pay runs close to 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 Los Angeles, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Los Angeles, California
- CDL driver salary in California
The methodology behind the rankings
Compensation is the largest single weight at 30% — pay percentile, sign-on bonus, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement cadence. FMCSA safety contributes 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions with unsafe-driving and hours-of-service weighted 2× heavier. Benefits contribute 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator and 1099 carriers. Operational performance — application responsiveness and fleet scale — contributes 20%. Updated November 2026.