Occupation · SOC 53-3032
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
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.
Median wage
$57,440
$38,640–$78,800
Projected growth
+4.0%
Average growth
Annual openings
8,930
per year
Employed (US)
2,070,480
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
133 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingTime Management
Knowledge areas
TransportationPublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageLaw and Government
Technology & tools
Word processing softwareTime accounting softwareRoute navigation softwareInventory management softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
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.Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks.Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary.Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.Remove debris from loaded trailers.Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.Inventory and inspect goods to be moved to determine quantities and conditions.Follow special cargo-related procedures, such as checking refrigeration systems for frozen foods or providing food or water for livestock.Install or remove special equipment, such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, or sanders.Wrap and secure goods using pads, packing paper, containers, or straps.Operate idle reduction systems or auxiliary power systems to generate power from alternative sources, such as fuel cells, to reduce idling time, to heat or cool truck cabins, or to provide power for other equipment.Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Pre-trip and post-trip inspections — perform per FMCSA §396.13 on a daily route under a trainer's review.Class A CDL operation in fair weather — drive routinely on familiar interstate corridors with a senior co-driver.Hours-of-service rules and ELD entries — record correctly across an 11-hour drive shift.Coupling and uncoupling (fifth wheel, glad-hands, brake lines) — execute to spec on a paved drop yard.Backing into a 90-degree dock — complete in three attempts under a yard-jockey's spotter direction.Trip-planning basics (rest stops, fuel, scales) — produce for a single-leg run with a dispatcher's review.Bills of lading and shipping documents — sign and reconcile for a routine pickup and delivery.Defensive driving fundamentals (following distance, smith system) — apply consistently on a familiar route.Truck stop and roadside repair contacts — know when to call dispatch vs. attempt a self-fix.Fuel-stop discipline (route, brand, cents-per-mile target) — follow the company's fueling plan.
developing
Multi-stop routes within a region — execute reliably across 3–5 deliveries per shift.Adverse-weather driving (rain, snow, crosswinds) — judge correctly when to slow down or shut down.Customer-site etiquette at warehouses and retail DCs — handle check-in, dock assignment, and lumper services routinely.Light mechanical troubleshooting (tire pressure, fluid checks, fuse swaps) — perform roadside without dispatch.DOT roadside inspection — present documents and walk an officer through the rig confidently.Load securement (chains, straps, dunnage) — apply correctly to dry-van and flatbed configurations.Refrigerated trailer ops (set-point, pre-cool, temperature recorder) — operate reliably on perishable loads.Newer drivers on familiar routes — accompany during their first solo weeks.Fuel efficiency techniques (cruise control, idle reduction, RPM management) — apply to meet a company MPG target.Trip logs and settlement statements — reconcile with dispatch on a weekly basis without errors.
proficient
Cross-country OTR operation — run autonomously on routes you haven't previously driven.HAZMAT, tanker, or doubles/triples endorsements — operate in regulated contexts with full compliance.Complex deliveries (urban centers, narrow alleys, retail back-of-house) — execute without prior site walks.Hours-of-service flexibility (sleeper-berth split, adverse-conditions exception) — apply correctly when conditions warrant.Mechanical issues on the road — diagnose to component level and decide repair-vs-tow.Customer relationships at recurring stops — develop into a preferred-driver status over a year of runs.Newer drivers in a formal trainer role — partner for 2–4 weeks under company finishing-school programs.Yard moves and trailer staging at dispersal depots — coordinate independently during peak loads.Border crossings and customs paperwork — handle confidently on US-Canada or US-Mexico runs.Bonus-track route assignments (high-value, time-critical) — earn through performance and accept responsibility.
advanced
Owner-operator economics (fuel, maintenance, tolls, insurance, tax) — manage with positive net per mile across a year.Multi-driver fleet ops — coordinate as lead driver or team-relief on dedicated 24-hour lanes.Mentor and trainer of new CDL graduates — coach to FMCSA and company standards across a finishing-school cohort.Safety committee participation — contribute root-cause analysis on company incidents and near-misses.Spec'ing equipment (tractor configuration, transmission, axle, tires) — advise the maintenance shop and management.Driver-advocacy and grievance representation — represent peers in shop or carrier-level conversations.Cross-functional projects with dispatch, safety, and ops — contribute as a senior driver-voice.Specialty haul certifications (oversize, hazmat, tanker) — maintain across regulatory updates.Customer-facing presentations (recurring shipper reviews, ride-alongs) — represent the company credibly.Career path into dispatch, safety, or management — transition with credibility from a decade-plus of driving.
Also known as
310 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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