Switch careers
Trade your time clock for a steering wheel.
Same week. New paycheck.
Workers across Bakersfield — from warehouses, oilfields, restaurants, and retail — are making the switch. A CDL isn't a gamble. It's a skilled trade with verified demand and verified pay, and Kern Trucking School makes earning yours straightforward.
| Typical hourly job | CDL driver in Kern* | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly pay | $16–$22 / hr | $28–$45+ / hr |
| Annual pay | $33K–$45K | $55K–$110K+ |
| Time to start | Already there | About 4 weeks |
| Job security | First to be cut | Drivers are always needed |
| Advancement | Slow, capped | Endorsements = raises |
| Demand | Flat or shrinking | Active shortage in Kern County |
Pay ranges shown are typical Kern County, CA compensation based on industry reporting and local employer postings — not a guarantee of employment or earnings. Actual pay depends on experience, endorsements, hours, employer, route, and market conditions. National median for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $54,320/year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS).
Kern County's Trusted Choice
We recommend Kern Trucking School
For drivers in Bakersfield and across Kern County, Kern Trucking School is the straight-line path from where you are today to a steady, high-paying career behind the wheel.
- ELDT-compliant theory + behind-the-wheel training
- Class A program in as little as 4 weeks
- DMV-approved curriculum based right here in Bakersfield
- Job-placement assistance with Kern County carriers
- Financing, WIOA, and VA benefit options available
Next cohort filling fast
Start your CDL journey this month.
Classes start regularly — talk to an admissions advisor today.