Updated July 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Santa Monica, California (July 2026)
As of July 2026, CDL drivers in Santa Monica, California are earning a weekly average of $2,227 (median $1,850). Based on 686 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 32% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,090. 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 July 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 Santa Monica, California
Across active CDL postings in Santa Monica, 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) | $1,606 | $1,532 | 341 |
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,319 | $2,125 | 228 |
| Owner Operator | $7,435 | $7,700 | 117 |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in Santa Monica, California
Of active CDL postings in Santa Monica, California this month, 12% are regional and 80% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 8%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Santa Monica, California postings; dedicated routes at 35%; take-truck-home at 76%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 65% and riders-allowed at 61%.
Santa Monica, California vs California: the numbers that diverge
The largest gap is on dedicated routes: Santa Monica, California sits 5 points above the California baseline.
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 Santa Monica, California
- Best owner-operator companies in Santa Monica, California
- CDL driver salary in California
How we compile these rankings
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 July 2026.