Salinas, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Truck Driver Salary in Salinas, CA

In the Salinas, CA metropolitan area, truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $59,300 ($28.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $41,200/year and the 90th was $80,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $48,230 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$59,300$28.51 per hour · $4,942 monthly
10th Percentile$41,200$19.81/hr base
25th Percentile$48,000$23.08/hr base
75th Percentile$71,200$34.23/hr base
90th Percentile$80,700$38.80/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$59,300
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$59,300
Net 81%
Fed 8%
CA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$48,230After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,019Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,855Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,936 / yr
California state income tax$1,598 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,536 / yr

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wage Percentiles in Salinas, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in the Salinas, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$19.81/hr$3,433$41,200$34,654
25th Percentile$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$39,828
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$28.51/hr$4,942$59,300$48,230
75th Percentile$34.23/hr$5,933$71,200$56,449
90th Percentile$38.80/hr$6,725$80,700$62,342

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Salinas, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$59,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$97,230Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index109.09% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio61%of area median income

Compare truck drivers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Pay in Salinas, CA

What is the median salary for truck drivers in Salinas, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for truck drivers in Salinas, CA is $59,300, which equates to approximately $4,942 per month or $28.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for truck drivers in Salinas, CA?

The median hourly wage for truck drivers in Salinas, CA is $28.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.81/hour and one in ten earned more than $38.80/hour.

What is the pay range for truck drivers in Salinas, CA?

BLS wage estimates for truck drivers in Salinas, CA span from $41,200 at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 25th, $71,200 at the 75th, and $80,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do truck drivers take home after taxes in Salinas, CA?

On a median gross salary of $59,300, an estimated $48,230 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,855 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $11,070 (an effective rate of 18.7%).

How much do truck drivers make per month in Salinas, CA?

On the median annual salary of $59,300, gross monthly income is $4,942. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,019 per month (or $1,855 every two weeks).

Is $59,300 a good salary in Salinas, CA?

At $59,300, the median salary for truck drivers is 61% of the Salinas, CA median household income ($97,230). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 109.0, making regional consumer goods and services 9% more expensive than the U.S. average.