Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Salinas, CA
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $53,390 a year ($25.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,970 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $58,640. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $60,230. There are 11 heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Median | $53,390 | $25.67 |
| 75th percentile | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Average (mean) | $56,250 | $27.04 |
Half of heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,449.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,224.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,053.46 |
| Weekly | $1,026.73 |
| Hourly | $25.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,730 | 5,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $66,450 | 16,450 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $62,620 | 1,860 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,540 | 2,380 |
| Napa, CA | $60,860 | 600 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,810 | 10,960 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,580 | 40,230 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $60,470 | 10,110 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $60,380 | 720 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,340 | 61,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $59,780 | 10,440 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $59,500 | 750 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $59,120 | 3,020 |
| Modesto, CA | $58,330 | 3,510 |
| Yuba City, CA | $58,230 | 1,790 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $57,690 | 7,050 |
| Chico, CA | $57,480 | 650 |
| Redding, CA | $57,350 | 940 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $55,910 | 1,550 |
| Fresno, CA | $55,740 | 8,170 |
| Merced, CA | $55,630 | 1,710 |
| El Centro, CA | $55,140 | 1,130 |
| Visalia, CA | $51,530 | 3,060 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $48,110 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $70,100 |
| Washington | $64,760 |
| District of Columbia | $64,170 |
| New Jersey | $63,570 |
| Massachusetts | $63,030 |
| Nevada | $62,290 |
| New York | $62,050 |
| Minnesota | $61,990 |
| Oregon | $61,980 |
| Colorado | $61,500 |
See Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Light Truck Driver | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,210 | $20.77 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $71,140 | $34.20 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Parking Attendant | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $42,090 | $20.24 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers make in Salinas, CA?
The median salary for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in the Salinas, CA metro area is $53,390 a year, or $25.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $76,970 a year. The top 25% earn $63,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,480 a year, and a quarter of heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers earn $45,050 or less.
How many heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers work in Salinas, CA?
About 2,140 heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck drivers are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.