SOC 53-3032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — Salinas
Salinas, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Salinas, CA the median wage is $53,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Salinas, CA the median wage is $53,390. That is 9.0% lower than the national median of $58,640. Pay ranges from under $38,480 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,970 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,050 to $63,130.
Employment stands at 2,140, or 11.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $70,730. Of the 369 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 244th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,480 | −34.4% |
| 25th | $45,050 | −23.2% |
| Median (50th) | $53,390 | −9.0% |
| 75th | $63,130 | +7.7% |
| 90th | $76,970 | +31.3% |
| Mean | $56,250 | −4.1% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $70,730 | 5,360 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $66,450 | 16,450 | |
| 3 | Santa Rosa | $62,620 | 1,860 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $61,540 | 2,380 | |
| 5 | Napa | $60,860 | 600 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $60,810 | 10,960 | |
| 7 | Riverside | $60,580 | 40,230 | |
| 8 | Stockton | $60,470 | 10,110 | |
| 9 | San Luis Obispo | $60,380 | 720 | |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $60,340 | 61,270 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Salinas run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $53,390 buys what $48,229 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$53,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,229US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $53,390 a year, 9.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,480 to $76,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $70,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Salinas, CA?
The median annual wage is $53,390, or $25.67 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,640, so pay in Salinas, CA is 9.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Salinas, CA earns more than $76,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,480 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $70,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,140 jobs in this occupation in Salinas, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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