Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $59,480 +3.6% vs national
Median hourly $28.60
10th percentile $38,270
90th percentile $78,070
Employed locally 10,490
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
San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,270
    25th
    $47,820
    50th (median)
    $59,480
    75th
    $65,800
    90th
    $78,070

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary vs area income 58% Median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary is 42% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$39,000
    Stockers and Order Fillers$38,690
    Light Truck Drivers$43,820
    Packers and Packagers, Hand$36,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$58,360
    Parking Attendants$36,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in San Diego, CA is $28.60, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.62 or more per hour.

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

    The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in San Diego, CA is 3.6% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $38,270 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,820.