Career Overview
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.
Also Known As
- Driver
- Line Haul Driver
- Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver)
- Truck Driver
Alternate Job Titles
- Armored Truck Driver
- Automotive Carrier Driver (Auto Carrier Driver)
- Automotive Crane Driver (Auto Crane Driver)
- Automotive Haulaway Driver (Auto Haulaway Driver)
- Automotive Hauler (Auto Hauler)
- Automotive Transport Driver (Auto Transport Driver)
- Basket Operator
- Batch Mixing Truck Driver
- Bull Driver
- Car Ferrier
- Car Pickup Driver
- Car Pilot
- Carrier Driver
- CDL Driver (Commercial Driver's License Driver)
- CDL Truck Driver (Commercial Driver's License Truck Driver)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
- Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
- Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
- Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
- Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
- Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
- Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Far Vision
- Response Orientation
- Spatial Orientation
- Rate Control
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Reaction Time
- Problem Sensitivity
- Depth Perception
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- 4-ranger tower trucks
- Air compressors
- Blocks and tackle
- Boom trucks
- Cargo hoists
- Cell phones
- Dump trucks
- Electric handtrucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Forklifts
- Frequency modulation FM two way radios
- Front load dumpsters
- Global positioning system GPS devices
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Handheld bar code scanners
Work Environment
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $38,640 |
| Median | $57,440 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $78,800 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 2,070,480
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,390
Light Truck Drivers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $44,140
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,070
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $60,640
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $68,860
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.