Truck Driving Jobs in California
Apply for Trucking Jobs in California
Trucking companies in California currently need truck drivers and this need is only expected to grow over the next several years. When many people think of truck driving jobs they might think of long hours on the road, weeks away from their home, and missing their family.
However, there are many attractive benefits to this career that far outweigh the disadvantages. The truck driving jobs in California offer great wages, good benefits, and a chance to explore the state and even the nation. These positions can also offer the flexibility and freedom you won’t find at many other jobs.
- Earn up to $.54 per mile
- One week vacation after 1 year
- Two weeks vacation after 2 years
- 2,500 paid miles per week guaranteed!
- Pets allowed
- Medical, dental & life insurance
- Teams start up to $0.79 CPM + $6,000 transition bonus!
- Solos start up to $0.74 CPM + $3,000 transition bonus!
- Medical/dental/life Insurance/paid vacation & 401-k match
- 7 days out/2 days home option
- High percentage of drop & hook
- Pet/rider policy
- $5,000 sign-on bonus for experienced drivers!
- Earn up to $79,000 yearly based on experience
- 95% no-touch freight
- Weekly home time
- Medical/dental/vision insurance & 401(k) match
- Up to $7,000 tuition reimbursement for qualified drivers
- GREAT PAY – Earn up to $130,000 per year!
- Experienced drivers now START at 56 CPM – 61 CPM!
- 48 CPM after training + increases to 58 CPM in 5 months!
- Outstanding Team incentives: Up to $3,400/week per team
- Medical/dental/vision/paid vacation & 401(k)
- No experience required! Paid CDL training available.
- LARGEST pay increase in our history!
- Drivers are guaranteed daily pay!
- Drivers earn cents per mile based on experience!
- Paid orientation/paid time off & pet/passenger policy
- Medical/dental/vision/life & 401-k company match
- School tuition reimbursement program
- $15,000 sign-on bonus – limited time only!
- $1,000 pay guarantee for the first eight weeks!
- Earn up to $75,000 yearly depending on route & experience
- Dental/vision/life insurance/paid vacation & 401(k)
- Home daily with consistent time off
- J.B. Hunt is hiring local CDL-A dedicated drivers!
- $2,000 referral bonus for every driver referral
- Owner Operators average $180,000 - $220,000 gross
- Great Home Time: Most Drivers Out 7 to 10 days
- Hefty Fuel Discounts Across Our Network
- Third Party Insurance Available
- Owner Operator Receives 100% Fuel Surcharge
Roadrunner Transportation Systems
- Top solo drivers earn up to $225,000 yearly
- Top teams earn up to $350,000+ yearly
- Company drivers earn up to $1,200+ weekly
- Late model equipment
- Health & Medical Plans Available
- Dedicated, OTR, local and regional positions
- One day off for every week out GUARANTEED!
- Hazmat Mileage Bonus of $.04 more per mile
- 99% no-touch, 80% drop-and-hook freight
- Average fleet age of just 1 ¼ years
- Top-carrier medical/dental/life insurance
- Matched 401(k) plan
- Owner/operators earn 75% of revenue
- 100% fuel surcharge paid to you
- Fuel discount program
- Consistent freight
- No forced dispatch
- 100% owner operator company
- $1,200 per week GUARANTEED (1-2 years exp.)
- Experienced drivers can earn up to $67,000 yearly
- Weekly home time
- Health/dental/life insurance
- 401-k retirement plan
- Stable route with consistent miles
- Drivers earn $800 per week on average
- Most runs are 3 weeks out/1 week home
- Bonus pay opportunities available
- Low cost health insurance
- Excellent spouse/child rider program
- Excellent pet policy
- Drivers can earn up to $.56 per mile
- Entry level drivers guaranteed at least $850/week
- $3,000 - $5,000 sign-on bonus
- $2,400 tuition reimbursement (recent grads)
- Safety & performance bonuses
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Experienced drivers earn up to $.45
- Reliable home time
- Paid vacation
- Medical benefits
- 401K
- Life insurance
Southern Refrigerated Transport
- Company Drivers now receive 3-4 CPM more
- Recent grads receive $475/week paid training
- Home weekly opportunities (select areas)
- 99% no-touch freight with 1,800+ miles average
- Fuel and driver referral bonuses
- Up to $6,000 tuition reimbursement for recent grads
- $525 per week paid training for grads
- Company drivers can earn up to $.52 per mile
- Teams can earn up to $.60 per mile split
- 100% Employee Owned Stock Ownership Plan
- Medical/dental/vision/prescription coverage after 60 days
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
Christenson Transportation, Inc.
- Regional drivers earn up to $.48 per mile (loaded)
- OTR drivers earn up to $.46 per mile (loaded)
- Health/dental/vision insurance + 401(k)
- Paid vacation & orientation pay
- Layover & detention pay
- Pre-paid legal plan
- Flexible home time
- Dedicated runs offer guaranteed weekends home
- Rider & pet programs
- Lease purchase program
- Average tractor age is 2 years old
- Fuel/idle/safety/tenure/e-log bonuses
- Company drivers average $65,000 per year
- Reefers can average up to 2,500 miles per week (43-50 CPM)
- Flatbeds can average up to 2,800 miles per week (47-54 CPM)
- Teams can average up to 14,000 miles per monty (52-58 CPM split)
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Weekly pay with direct deposit
- $5,000 sign-on bonus for experienced drivers!
- $10,000 split bonus for experienced team drivers!
- Top drivers earn more than $70,000 per year!
- CDL-A drivers earn up to $.47 per mile
- Teams can earn up to $.70 per mile (split)
- Steady year round freight with weekly pay up to $1,200
- Earn a $5,000 sign-on bonus when you Apply Now!
- Top earners make up to $2,000 per week!
- $1,600 transition package
- Regional route. Home every weekend
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Orientation pay, vacation time & more
- On-the-job paid training + weekly pay
- Drivers can make up to $80,000 yearly
- All miles paid (loaded & empty)
- Quarterly safety bonus
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Full tuition reimbursement from any driving school
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS OFFER when you APPLY NOW!
- Average $63,251 yearly. Top earners make $91,520/year!
- Top earners make up to $1,800 per week!
- Offering $1,600 transition package
- Home every week (not on weekends)
- Medical/dental/orientation pay/paid vacation + 401(k)
- Up to $100,000 plus bonuses for experienced company drivers!
- CDL-A company drivers can average up to $76,000 per year
- CDL-A regional drivers can earn up to $.70 per mile
- Drivers are home on most weekends
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Up to $10,000 sign-on bonus for owner operators!
- Company drivers earn $62,00 annually on average
- Late model equipment
- Industry competitive health insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Steady and consistent work
- Solo drivers earn $1.05 per mile loaded and empty
- Teams earn $1.10 per mile loaded and empty (split)
- $.02 per mile safety bonus paid quarterly
- Newer model trucks
- Road use & fuel taxes paid
- Nationwide Discount Fuel Network
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Class A CDL drivers are guaranteed to earn $63,650 yearly!
- Average 2,500-2,800 miles weekly with $1,250 pay guaranteed!
- No touch freight for dry van operators
- Full company benefits/401-(k)/vacation pay/paid holidays
- Newer dedicated equipment
- Paid CDL training available
- Tuition reimbursement offered for new trainees
- Solo drivers can earn a bonus of $.05 per mile
- $500 referral bonus for experienced drivers
- Pet and rider policy programs
- Great benefits
- Solo drivers can earn up to $.65 per mile
- Teams can earn up to $.70 per mile (split)
- Great home time
- Excellent job benefits
- Recognized as "Carrier of the Year" in 2017
- Hiring nationwide
- Competitive pay
- Bonus potential
- Company-paid orientation
- Quarterly safety bonus
- Health/dental/life/disability insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Local/regional drivers earn $1,100 weekly!
- 8-10 hour work days
- No-touch automotive freight
- Medical/dental/vision insurance + 401(k)
- Paid weekly with direct deposit
- Flatbed solos can earn $64,000 yearly (54 CPM)
- Flatbed teams can earn $74,000 yearly (34 CPM)
- $1,000 raise upon annual review
- Stop/tarp/layover/detention/breakdown pay
- Major medical insurance + 401(k) savings plan
- Orientation pay (about $540 gross)
- Solo drivers earn a net minimum of $81,000 yearly!
- Solo drivers get paid $2,800 within their first 8 days!
- Team drivers earn a net minimum of $151,000 yearly!
- Team drivers get paid $5,600 within their first 8 days!
- Tenure bonus of $3,000 (solos) & $5,500 (teams)
- Excellent company benefits
- Paid CDL training ($600/week on-the-job training)
- Zero tuition for those who qualify ($5,000 value)
- Competitive pay & benefits
- Great home time depending on region
- Consistent miles depending on region
- Late model equipment
- Owner operators are welcome
- Competitive pay
- Excellent benefits
- Great home time
- Lease purchase program
- Buy your truck after 4 years
- $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Competitive hourly pay
- Drivers average $1,510 weekly
- Daily home time
- No-touch freight
- Medical/dental/vision insurance + 401(k)
- Mileage/safety/fuel efficiency/referral bonuses
- 401(k) matching retirement savings program
- Health/dental/vision insurance
- Paid vacation & holidays
- No forced dispatch
- Paid weekly
- Solo drivers can earn up to $.45 per mile
- Solo drivers average 2,850 miles per week
- Teams can earn up to $.26 per mile per driver
- Teams average 5,500 miles per week
- No-touch freight and trailer pools
- 1 day home for every 6 days running
- Drivers can earn up to $68,000 per year
- Drive 1,000 to 1,500 mile radius from your hub
- Enjoy weekly home time
- Rewards for clean roadside inspections
- Detention pay
- Excellent benefits
- $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Paid training & orientation for students/trainees
- Solo drivers can earn 55 CPM with $.05 bonus
- Team drivers can earn 70 CPM with $.05 bonus
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Guaranteed detention/stop/layover/breakdown pay
- $3,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Mileage bonus & $3,200 referral bonus!
- Detention/breakdown/extra stop pay
- Medical/dental/vision/life insurance
- 401(k) savings plan with company match
- Pet and passenger policy
- $40,000 TEAMING BONUS for OTR CDL-A DRIVERS!
- PAID HazMat endorsement if you don't have one
- HazMat team drivers earn $.52 to $.56 cents per mile
- $1,000 weekly pay guarantee for HazMat drivers
- Covenant team matching program can team you up
- Home time guarantee!
- Paid training program for students/trainees
- Paid weekly with direct deposit
- Medical/vision/dental insurance + 401-k
- Paid life insurance
- Paid vacations & holidays
- Referral bonuses
- Drivers receive top pay rates
- Frequent home time
- 100% paid employee health insurance
- Health/dental/vision/life insurance + 401(k)
- Paid vacations & paid holidays
- Seniority/ & clean roadside inspection bonuses
- Paid flatbed & specialized training (4 weeks)
- Flatbed drivers earn $.54 to $.56 per mile
- OTR, regional & dedicated lanes available
- Medical/dental/vision insurance + 401(k) savings
- Longevity/breakdown/detention/tarp pay
- Pet & rider policy
- Competitive pay
- No-touch freight
- Drivers average 2-3 days home & 2-3 weeks out
- Steady work
- Paid weekly
- Good equipment
- $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!
- Competitive hourly pay
- Drivers average $1,510 weekly
- Daily home time
- No-touch freight
- Medical/dental/vision insurance + 401(k)
- Competitive pay
- Good hometime
- Excellent benefits
- Consistent miles
- Annual raises
- Great company to work for
- Excellent pay & bonuses!
- Average 11,000 miles per month
- Home weekly or multiple times per week
- $1,000 safety bonus
- Medical/dental/vision/LTD insurance + 401(k)
- Paid holidays & paid vacation
- Drivers can earn over over $100,000 yearly!
- Class A CDL drivers get paid $0.65 per mile!
- Entertainment Logistics and Ports pay premium rates
- Small family-owned trucking company
- Full medical benefits & 401-k company match (after 90 days)
- Paid holidays & paid vacation
- Owner/Operator Fleet
- $2.11 per mile average!
- Most shipments are drop and hook
- Lightweight shipments (15-25k lbs average)
- Fuel Surcharge covering most/all of your fuel costs
- Medical/dental/life Insurance & 401-k match
- $5,000 sign-on bonus & $1,000 referral bonus!
- Drivers make up to $75,000+ annually!
- 2,800 miles per week & rates paid on ALL miles!
- New & late model equipment - Kenworth trucks
- Medical/dental/vision/paid vacation & 401-k match
- Generous home time
- Drivers make $65,000-$100,000 annually!
- Health insurance (Aflac)
- 401-k with company match
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Family oriented & a fun work environment
- Solo drivers average $60,000 – $90,000+ per year!
- Teams average $80,000 – $100,000+ per year!
- 100% no-touch freight & practical miles paid!
- Earn up to 3 weeks paid vacation
- Health/dental/vision/paid holidays & 401-k company match
- Newer Freightliner Cascadia trucks (APUs/inverters/refrigerators)
- $3,000 sign-on bonus for owner/operator solos!
- $6,000 sign-on bonus for owner/operator teams!
- Drivers average $1.05 to $1.75 per mile plus FSC!
- 99.92% no-touch freight & no forced dispatch
- Medical/dental/vision/life (disability also available)
- Safety roadside incentive program (up to $0.05/mile)
Getting Your CDL in Order to Work for Trucking Companies in California
Whether you’re searching for Class A truck driving jobs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, or San Diego, you’ll first need to possess your Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). To get your Commercial Drivers License, you must first obtain a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) in California. The state requires that applicants for a CLP already have a valid California Class D drivers license and pass a vision test. Your date of birth and legal presence in the state will be verified when you apply. You will also need to submit your medical examination report. Finally, applicants must pass a written and a driving exam.
What do the trucking companies in California require of their drivers?
In order to protect their interests as well as preserve the safety of everyone on the road, the trucking companies in California have a few requirements that those applying for trucking jobs in California must meet. While these hiring requirements can vary between trucking companies in California, most of them are the same. You may come across one or more of the following hiring requirements as you apply for trucking jobs with various California trucking companies:
- Must have a Class A CDL
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Must undergo a background screening
- Must have a good employment history
- Must have a good Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
- Must have a good driving record in the last 5 years
- Must have at least 3 months of current over-the-road (OTR) experience
California Truck Driving Salary and Benefits
According to the United States Department of Labor, the trucking companies in California pay their drivers a little higher than the national average for truck drivers nationwide. Truck driving jobs in California usually pay truck drivers between $27,700 and $63,900 annually. The median income of a California truck or tractor-trailer driver was $43,300 as of 2016. Nationally, truck drivers are generally paid between $26,900 and $61,300 as of 2016. The median national income is $41,300 (BLS 2017, [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm]). According to the trucking companies in California, truck driving jobs in California can pay up to $85,000 per year or as much as 60 cents per mile. You can also earn bonuses such as safety bonuses, longevity bonuses, sign-on bonuses, and referral bonuses when employed at trucking jobs in California. Depending on the company and bonus type, a bonus can range from $500 to $8,000. Common benefits offered by truck driving companies in California include the following and more:
- Paid vacation
- 401(k) company match retirement plan
- On-board DIRECTV
- 24″ flat screen TV and DVR in trucks
- Paid vacations
- Dental, vision, and health insurance coverage after 30 days of employment
- Tuition reimbursement
- Paid training
- Dedicated routes
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Group accident insurance
- Critical illness insurance
- $.02 per mile safety bonus quarterly
- Consistent home time
- Weekly pay
- Optional direct deposit
California Taxes and Cost of Living
No matter how much your paycheck is, you should always consider the cost of living for your location. It doesn’t make much sense if you earn more money in a certain area if all of that extra money only goes towards paying your general living costs. Before applying for truck driving jobs in California, you should do some research about salaries and the cost of living. For a single person with no children in California, the average cost of living is $27,483 before the deduction of taxes. For a family of two adults and two children, the average cost of living is $73,184 prior to taxes. Out of all 50 states, California has the 8th lowest state and local tax rate at 8.79%. As of May 2017, one gallon of diesel fuel is $2.367, as per the national average. However, California has shown a trend of diesel fuel prices being approximately 60 cents more than the national average. Holding true to this trend, as of May 2017, the California price for diesel fuel is $2.985 per gallon.
Driving Conditions for Truck Drivers in California
Another point to consider when applying for jobs with California trucking companies is road conditions and traffic. Those working in truck driving jobs in California may often have to deal with stop-and-go traffic of many major metropolitan areas in the state. These conditions can not only be difficult to drive in but they can also place extra wear-and-tear on a tractor-trailer truck. Extreme heat can sometimes be of concern, especially in the southern part of California. However, truck drivers in this state are not very likely to encounter poor driving conditions due to snowy or icy road conditions, which can make trucking jobs in California more appealing than some other states.
Expected Growth for Truck Driving Jobs in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trucking companies in California will be doing a lot of hiring in over the next several years. A much higher than average rate of job growth is expected for CDL jobs in California. In fact, it is predicted that between 2014 and 2024 there will be a 15% increase in these jobs, with an additional 4,580 jobs. In comparison, jobs for people driving heavy and tractor-trailers are expected to grow by 40,450 openings by 2024 nationally, which represents a 6% increase since 2014 (BLS 2017, [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm]). With great benefits and pay, warmer weather, and many opportunities, it is no wonder the field of truck driving is predicted to see so much growth by the year 2024.