Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in Bakersfield, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Median annual salary $57,600 +0.3% vs national
Median hourly $27.69
10th percentile $37,260
90th percentile $74,110
Employed locally 7,380
National median $57,440

Compare Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary & buying power

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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
in
Bakersfield, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,260
    25th
    $47,410
    50th (median)
    $57,600
    75th
    $61,930
    90th
    $74,110

    Bakersfield economic context

    Unemployment rate 8.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,660 2023 • Census ACS
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary vs area income 85% Median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary is 15% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lincoln, NE $92,890
    Fairbanks-College, AK $73,540
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $73,500
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $69,290
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $65,540
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $65,220

    Nearby metros — Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $65,540
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $64,210
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $62,430
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $61,750
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $61,530
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $61,480

    Related occupations in Bakersfield, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$46,800
    Stockers and Order Fillers$38,370
    Packers and Packagers, Hand$34,900
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$48,060
    Light Truck Drivers$41,960
    Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$36,160

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make per hour in Bakersfield?

    The median hourly wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Bakersfield, CA is $27.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.00 or more per hour.

    Is Bakersfield above or below average for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries?

    The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Bakersfield, CA is 0.3% above the national median of $57,440. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Bakersfield?

    Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $37,260 per year in Bakersfield, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,410.