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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $54,930 -4.4% vs national
Median hourly $26.41
10th percentile $35,790
90th percentile $80,990
Employed locally 1,740
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
Merced, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,790
    25th
    $44,080
    50th (median)
    $54,930
    75th
    $62,170
    90th
    $80,990

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary vs area income 84% Median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary is 16% 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 Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,680
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $33,280
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $37,300
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $44,490
    Light Truck Drivers $41,960
    Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment $38,540

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Merced, CA is $26.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.30 or more per hour.

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

    The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Merced, CA is 4.4% below 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $35,790 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,080.