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.

Also called: CDL Driver (Commercial Driver's License Driver), Driver, Line Haul Driver, Log Truck Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Production Truck Driver, Road Driver, Semi Truck Driver, Tractor Trailer Driver, Truck Driver, 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 Truck Driver (Commercial Driver's License Truck Driver), CDL-A Flatbed Truck Driver (Commercial Driver's License Class A Flatbed Truck Driver), CDL-A Truck Driver (Commercial Driver's License Class A Truck Driver), CDL-B Truck Driver (Commercial Driver's License Class B Truck Driver), Cement Mixer Driver, Cement Truck Driver, City Driver, Class A CDL Truck Driver (Class A Commercial Driver's License Truck Driver), Class A Truck Driver, Class B Driver, Coal Hauler, Commercial Trailer Truck Driver, Company CDL-A Truck Driver (Company Commercial Driver's License Class A Truck Driver), Company Driver, Concrete Mixer Driver, Concrete Mixer Truck Driver, Concrete Truck Driver, Construction Driver, Contract Mail Carrier, Cream Gatherer, Cream Hauler, Cross Country Truck Driver, Cryogenic Transport Driver, Dairy Truck Driver, Dedicated CDL-A Truck Driver (Dedicated Commercial Driver's License Class A Truck Driver), Dedicated Driver, Dedicated Truck Driver, Delivery Truck Driver, Diesel Truck Driver, Drayage Truck Driver (Dray Truck Driver), Drip Pumper, Dump Truck Driver, Dumpster Driver, Dumpster Operator, Explosives Truck Driver, Farm Truck Driver, Feed Hauler, Feeder Driver, Flatbed Driver, Flatbed Truck Driver, Fuel Oil Truck Driver, Fuel Truck Driver, Furniture Mover Driver, Garbage Collector Driver, Garbage Truck Driver, Gas Truck Driver, Goat Driver, Gravel Hauler, Gravel Truck Driver, Hauler, Heavy Truck Driver, Highway Truck Driver, Hook Up Driver, Jockey, Jumper, Line Driver, Livestock Trucker, Local CDL-A Truck Driver (Local Commercial Driver's License Class A Truck Driver), Log Truck Tractor Trailer Driver, Logging Flatbed Truck Driver, Logging Truck Driver, Long Haul Truck Driver, Maintenance Truck Driver, Mechanic Driver, Milk Collector, Milk Driver, Milk Hauler, Milk Pickup Driver, Milk Pickup Truck Driver, Milk Truck Driver, Mixer Driver, Moto Mix Operator, Moving Van Driver, Oil Deliverer, Oil Transport Driver, Oil Truck Driver, OTR CDL-A Truck Driver (Over the Road Commercial Driver's License Class A Truck Driver), OTR Truck Driver (Over the Road Truck Driver), Pickup and Delivery Driver (P and D Driver), Pickup Driver, Powder Truck Driver, Ready Mix Truck Driver, Regional CDL-A Truck Driver (Regional Commercial Driver's License Class A Truck Driver), Regional Driver, Roll Off Driver, Rubbish Truck Driver, Sand Hauler, Sanitation Truck Driver, Self-Loading Flatbed Truck Driver, Semi Driver, Semi-Truck Driver, Sprinkler Driver, Sprinkling Truck Driver, Star Route Mail Driver, Store Driver, Street Flusher Driver, Street Sprinkler, Tank Driver, Tank Truck Driver, Tank Truck Operator, Tank Wagon Driver, Tank Wagon Operator, Tanker Driver, Tar Distributor Operator, Team Driver, Team Truck Driver, Tow Car Driver, Tow Truck Driver, Tow Truck Operator, Tractor Trailer Moving Van Driver, Tractor Trailer Operator, Tractor Trailer Truck Driver, Trailer Driver, Trailer Truck Driver, Transit Mix Operator, Transit Mixer Driver, Transit Mixer Operator, Transport Driver, Transport Truck Driver, Transportation Equipment Operator, Trash Collector Truck Driver, Trash Hauler, Truck Chauffeur, Truck Driver Teamster, Truck Hop, Truck Hopper, Truck Jumper, Truck Switcher, Trucker, Van Driver, Waste Collection Driver, Water Truck Driver, Wrecker Driver, Wrecker Operator, Wrecking Car Driver, Yard Spotter

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Troubleshooting
Time Management
Active Listening
Equipment Maintenance
Repairing
Judgment and Decision Making

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (54.34% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

47,960–69,120 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 53-3032.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop inventory, scheduling, planning, and supply-chain analysis experience; explore coordinator, planner, or logistics-lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (54.34% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers