Visible-light-driven Ce-doped CdS nanowires were synthesized by a solvothermal method. Phase and morphology of Ce-doped CdS nanowires were investigated by XRD and SEM analyses. The analytical results certified that both CdS and Ce-doped CdS samples were uniform pure phase of hexagonal CdS nanowires. The photocatalytic activities of CdS and Ce-doped CdS nanowires were investigated through the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The 3% Ce-doped CdS nanowires have the highest photocatalytic efficiency of 95.75% within 120 min and are the promising material used for wastewater treatment.