How Much Do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Make in California?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in California earns $60,230 per year and takes home $48,912 ($4,076/month) — a keep-rate of 81.2%, with 205,090 employed in the state.
Free. No signup. Single filer, standard deduction — full model.
| Gross pay | $5,019.17 |
| Federal income tax | $420.63 |
| Social Security | $311.19 |
| Medicare | $72.78 |
| California state income tax | $138.61 |
| You keep | $4,075.96 |
How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make in California?
The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in California earns $60,230 per year (BLS May 2025), about $28.96 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$60,230 gross in California keeps $48,912 after federal income tax ($5,048), FICA ($4,608) and state income tax ($1,663) — $4,076 per month, a 81.2% keep-rate.
How does California compare to the national median for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
The California median is $1,590 above the national median of $58,640.
Which state pays Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers the most?
Alaska has the highest median gross for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers at $70,100 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in every state · California paycheck calculator · California minimum wage