Where CDL jobs are posted in Los Angeles

CDL jobs in Los Angeles are posted on general job boards, trucking-specific sites, and directly by employers. The largest volume appears on Indeed, LinkedIn, and Craigslist under "truck driver" or "commercial driver" filters. Trucking-specific boards like TruckersReport.com, Schneider National's careers page, and J.B. Hunt's driver portal list positions that may not appear elsewhere.

Local staffing agencies that specialize in transportation and logistics often have CDL openings before they hit public boards. Searching "CDL staffing Los Angeles" or "truck driver recruitment Los Angeles" surfaces firms that work directly with warehouses, distribution centers, and freight companies in the region. Many of these agencies can move you through the hiring process faster than explore cold to a company website.

The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach both employ drayage drivers (short-haul truckers moving containers on and off ships). Both ports maintain job listings on their official websites and require port-specific training and background clearance in addition to your CDL.

Key Takeaways

  • CDL jobs in Los Angeles span drayage (port work), long-haul trucking, local delivery, and specialized hauling, each with different pay ranges and schedule demands.
  • Major employers include national carriers like Schneider and J.B. Hunt, regional companies like PAM Transportation, and local logistics firms tied to the ports and distribution centers.
  • Job boards like Indeed and TruckersReport.com list most openings, but local staffing agencies often know about positions before they post publicly.
  • Port drayage work pays more per hour than many other CDL roles but requires additional port certification and a background check beyond your CDL.
  • Your driving record, medical certificate status, and whether you have hazmat or tanker endorsements all affect which jobs you can pursue and what you will earn.

Types of CDL work available in the Los Angeles area

Drayage driving is the most visible CDL work in Los Angeles because of the two major ports. Drayage drivers move shipping containers between the ports, warehouses, and rail yards. The work is local (you return home daily), but hours are unpredictable and often start before dawn. Pay is typically higher than long-haul trucking on an hourly basis, but you are paid by the load or hour, not by the mile.

Long-haul trucking from Los Angeles sends drivers across the country or to other Western states. Companies like Schneider National, J.B. Hunt, PAM Transportation, and Heartland Express all hire from the Los Angeles area. Long-haul work pays by the mile and involves multi-day trips, so it suits drivers who do not mind being away from home for a week or more at a time.

Local delivery and regional trucking keeps you within California or the Southwest. This includes work for Amazon Logistics, UPS Freight, XPO Logistics, and smaller regional carriers. Hours are more predictable than drayage, and you usually return home daily or within a few days. Pay is typically lower than long-haul but higher than some local delivery roles.

Specialized hauling—flatbed, tanker, or hazmat—pays more but requires additional endorsements beyond the basic CDL. Flatbed work moves construction equipment and machinery. Tanker work carries liquids (fuel, chemicals, food-grade products). Hazmat drivers transport regulated materials. Each requires passing an additional written test and, for hazmat, a federal background check.

Major employers hiring CDL drivers in Los Angeles

National carriers dominate the long-haul market. Schneider National, J.B. Hunt, and Werner Enterprises all have hiring centers or recruiting offices in or near Los Angeles. These companies offer consistent work, benefits, and training programs for newer drivers. Pay is typically by the mile (ranging widely based on experience and route), and most require a minimum commitment of one to two years.

Regional carriers like PAM Transportation, Heartland Express, and Marten Transport focus on the Western region and often hire locally. They tend to offer more flexibility than national carriers and may have dedicated routes that keep you closer to home. Pay structures vary; some pay by the mile, others by the hour or load.

Logistics and distribution companies—XPO Logistics, Saia Inc., Old Dominion Freight Line—hire CDL drivers for regional and local work. These roles often involve dock work in addition to driving, and pay is usually hourly rather than by the mile. Hours can be more stable than trucking companies, though some positions involve night shifts or early starts.

Port-affiliated and drayage-specific companies hire drivers exclusively for container movement. These include Pacer Cartage, Roadway Express, and smaller owner-operator networks. Many drayage companies are small operations, so you may work directly with an owner rather than a large HR department. Pay is often by the load, and work is available year-round but subject to port congestion and shipping volume.

What employers check before hiring you

Your driving record is the first filter. Any CDL holder with serious violations (DUI, reckless driving, at-fault accidents) in the past three to five years will be rejected by most major carriers. Some smaller or local companies are more flexible, but the best-paying jobs go to drivers with clean records. You can request your own driving record from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to see what employers will see.

Your medical certificate must be current and valid. The Department of Transportation requires all CDL holders to pass a medical exam every two years (or one year if you have certain conditions). If your certificate is expired or about to expire, many employers will not hire you until it is renewed. You can have the exam done at any certified medical examiner; the process takes about an hour and costs between $100 and $200.

A background check covering criminal history, employment history, and sometimes credit is standard. Most national carriers use third-party screening companies and will disqualify you for felonies or certain misdemeanors. The specifics vary by company and by state law. You have the right to see what the background check report says about you and to dispute inaccuracies.

Your CDL status and endorsements determine which jobs you can pursue. A basic Class A CDL qualifies you for most over-the-road work. A hazmat endorsement (H) opens higher-paying roles but requires a federal background check and fingerprinting. A tanker endorsement (N) is needed for liquid cargo. A passenger endorsement (P) is rarely needed for freight work. Your current endorsements should be listed on your CDL card.

How pay and benefits differ by job type

Long-haul trucking typically pays between $0.40 and $0.70 per mile, depending on experience, company, and freight type. A driver covering 2,500 miles per week would earn between $1,000 and $1,750 per week before taxes and deductions. New drivers often start at the lower end; experienced drivers with clean records and specialized endorsements earn more. Some companies offer sign-on bonuses ($2,000 to $5,000) to attract experienced drivers.

Drayage and port work pays by the load or hour, typically $18 to $28 per hour or $50 to $150 per load depending on distance and cargo type. Because the work is local, you may complete four to six loads per day, but weather, port congestion, and shipping volume create unpredictable income. Annual earnings vary widely; some drayage drivers earn $50,000 to $70,000, others earn less due to downtime.

Regional and local delivery roles often pay hourly ($20 to $30 per hour) or a combination of hourly plus load bonuses. Hours are more predictable than long-haul or drayage, and you go home daily. Annual earnings typically range from $45,000 to $65,000 depending on hours and company.

Benefits vary significantly. National carriers usually offer health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off after a waiting period (often 90 days to one year). Smaller companies and owner-operator drayage work may offer no benefits; you pay for your own health insurance and retirement. Some drayage companies offer fuel discounts or equipment allowances instead of traditional benefits.

Steps to explore and what to prepare

Gather your documents before you start. You will need your valid CDL, medical certificate, Social Security number, employment history for the past five to ten years, and references from previous employers or instructors. If you have been out of work, have gaps in employment, or have had multiple jobs in a short time, be ready to explain those in writing or during an interview.

Create a driver profile on major job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn, TruckersReport.com). Upload your CDL information and endorsements, and set your job alerts to "CDL driver" and "Los Angeles" or "Southern California." You will receive daily or weekly listings matching your criteria. Respond quickly to postings; popular positions fill within hours.

Contact local staffing agencies directly. Call or visit their offices with your documents in hand. Staffing recruiters often know about positions before they post online and can move you through screening faster. They also know which companies are actively hiring and which are slow to respond.

explore directly to company websites. Visit the careers pages of Schneider National, J.B. Hunt, PAM Transportation, and other carriers you are interested in. Direct applications sometimes move faster than job board postings because you bypass the aggregator's queue. Many companies have online applications that take 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

Expect a phone screening within one to three business days if your process passes initial review. Be ready to discuss your driving history, why you are interested in the role, and your availability to start. If the screening goes well, you will be invited to an in-person interview or a road test (for driving roles).

Common obstacles and how to handle them

A gap in your driving history or a period without a valid medical certificate can disqualify you. If your medical certificate expired, renew it when ready with a certified DOT medical examiner. If you have not driven commercially for more than a year, some companies require a refresher course or a road test before hiring. Smaller companies are often more flexible about gaps than national carriers.

Accidents or violations on your record do not automatically disqualify you, but they narrow your options. If you have a minor violation (speeding, parking ticket), most companies will overlook it if your overall record is clean. If you have an at-fault accident or a serious violation, you may need to wait three to five years for it to age off your record, or focus on smaller companies that are more forgiving. Be honest about your history during interviews; employers will find out anyway, and dishonesty is grounds for when ready rejection.

Lack of recent experience can slow the hiring process. If you have a CDL but have not driven commercially in several years, companies may require you to complete a refresher training or ride-along before offering a position. Some companies offer paid training for returning drivers; others do not. Ask during the process or screening phase whether training is provided.

Port-specific work requires additional clearance. If you are interested in drayage or port work, you will need to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card and pass a port-specific background check. The TWIC process takes four to six weeks and costs around $130. Some drayage companies will sponsor you for the TWIC; others expect you to have it before you explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a hazmat endorsement to get a CDL job in Los Angeles?

No. Most entry-level CDL jobs do not require hazmat. A basic Class A CDL qualifies you for general freight, drayage, and local delivery work. Hazmat endorsement opens higher-paying roles (fuel, chemicals, hazardous materials transport) but is not necessary to start. You can add it later once you have experience and a clean record.

What is the difference between drayage and long-haul trucking pay?

Long-haul pays by the mile (typically $0.40 to $0.70 per mile), so your earnings depend on miles driven. Drayage pays by the load or hour (typically $18 to $28 per hour or $50 to $150 per load). Long-haul can earn more per week if you drive many miles, but drayage offers more predictable hours and you go home daily. Drayage income is less stable because port volume fluctuates.

How long does it take to get hired after I explore?

Phone screening usually happens within one to three business days. If you pass screening, an in-person interview or road test follows within one to two weeks. Hiring decisions typically come within a few days of the final interview. Total time from process to job offer is usually two to four weeks, though some companies move faster and others slower.

Can I work as a CDL driver if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the offense and how long ago it occurred. Felonies, especially those involving violence or drugs, are usually disqualifying. Misdemeanors may be overlooked if they are old enough and you have a clean record since. Background check policies vary by company; national carriers are stricter than small local operations. Contact companies directly to ask about their specific policies before investing time in an process.

Do I need to own my own truck to work as a CDL driver?

No. Most CDL jobs are with companies that own the trucks. You drive company equipment and are paid as an employee or contractor. Owner-operator work (where you own the truck) is an option after you have experience and capital, but it is not required to start. Most new drivers work for established companies first.