Truck driver (heavy and tractor-trailer) salary in California after taxes
The median truck driver (heavy and tractor-trailer) in California earns $60,230 a year ($28.96 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $47,973 a year, or $1,845.12 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,830 | $34,525 | $2,877 | $1,327.89 |
| 25th percentile | $48,740 | $39,649 | $3,304 | $1,524.95 |
| Median | $60,230 | $47,973 | $3,998 | $1,845.12 |
| 75th percentile | $72,330 | $55,957 | $4,663 | $2,152.18 |
| 90th percentile | $81,960 | $61,708 | $5,142 | $2,373.40 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in California earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
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Truck driver (heavy and tractor-trailer) take-home pay in other states
California ranks #12 of 20 of the states we cover for median truck driver (heavy and tractor-trailer) take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $70,100 | $58,145 |
| Washington | $64,760 | $53,316 |
| Nevada | $62,290 | $52,230 |
| Wyoming | $60,310 | $50,639 |
| New Jersey | $63,570 | $50,629 |
| New Hampshire | $60,280 | $50,615 |
| Massachusetts | $63,030 | $49,703 |
| South Dakota | $58,690 | $49,337 |
| Tennessee | $58,620 | $49,281 |
| New York | $62,050 | $48,951 |
| Ohio | $59,800 | $48,823 |
| California | $60,230 | $47,973 |
| Illinois | $60,320 | $47,806 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,580 | $47,451 |
| Texas | $56,290 | $47,409 |
| Michigan | $57,180 | $45,945 |
| Georgia | $57,050 | $45,921 |
| Virginia | $56,860 | $45,412 |
| Florida | $50,640 | $42,869 |
| North Carolina | $51,530 | $41,998 |
Questions
How much does a truck driver (heavy and tractor-trailer) make in California after taxes?
The median truck driver (heavy and tractor-trailer) in California earns $60,230 a year ($28.96 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $47,973 a year, $3,998 a month or $1,845.12 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers work in California?
About 205,090, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B (exact calculation)
- California EDD: SDI withholding rate (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap)
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