Truck driver pay in San Diego, CA
Truck drivers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a typical $59,780 a year. The middle half earn $48,370 to $69,650, and the top 10% earn more than $78,250. About 10,440 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, SOC 53-3032).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $40,880 |
| 25th percentile | $48,370 |
| Median (typical) | $59,780 |
| 75th percentile | $69,650 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $78,250 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 24 of 50 large metros for truck drivers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $59,780, a single filer keeps about $48,600 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Diego are 12% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $43,400 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Diego No. 44 of 50 large metros for truck drivers after cost of living.
Where truck drivers’ pay goes furthest
- Memphis, TN$63,070 typical · worth $57.3k
- Seattle, WA$71,240 typical · worth $53.1k
- Nashville, TN$60,630 typical · worth $52.9k
- Kansas City, MO$60,170 typical · worth $51.9k
All 50 metros for truck drivers →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among truck drivers in San Diego. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a truck driver make in San Diego, CA?
The typical (median) truck driver in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earns $59,780 a year. The middle half earn between $48,370 and $69,650, and the top 10% earn more than $78,250. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a truck driver in San Diego?
Anything above $59,780 pays more than half of truck drivers in San Diego. $69,650 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $78,250 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a truck driver in San Diego take home after taxes?
At the typical $59,780, a single filer keeps about $48,600 a year ($4,050 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 12% above the US average, that buys what $43,400 would in a typical US city.
Where do truck drivers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical truck driver pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in Memphis, TN, Seattle, WA, Nashville, TN. San Diego, CA ranks No. 44.
More: Truck driver pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Diego, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.