Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Modesto, California (May 2026)
CDL drivers in Modesto, California earn $2,268 per week on average through May 2026. The median is $1,850, drawn from active job postings rather than survey self-reports. Based on 655 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,164. 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.
Where Modesto, California differs from the California baseline
| Modesto, California | California | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,268 | $2,381 | -5% |
| Riders-allowed policies | 64% | 59% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 82% | 76% | +6 pt |
| Local routes | 4% | 9% | -5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Modesto, California's biggest divergence from California is on OTR (long-haul) routes, 6 points above the state baseline.
Modesto, California CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Modesto, 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 | 328 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,354 | $2,150 | 205 |
| Owner Operator | $7,478 | $7,500 | 122 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Modesto, California drivers actually run
The route mix in Modesto, California this month tilts OTR: 13% regional, 82% OTR, 4% local, 2% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Modesto, California postings; dedicated routes at 33%; take-truck-home at 78%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 67% and riders-allowed at 64%.
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 Modesto, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Modesto, California
- CDL driver salary in California
Where this data comes from
Pay carriers in the same market against each other (30% of the score). Add a five-dimension FMCSA safety percentile from SAFER (25%). Score benefits based on whether the carrier hires W2 drivers or contractors (25%). Layer on employer responsiveness and fleet scale (20%). The weights are fixed and public. Updated May 2026.