Profession · Full profile

Truck Driver

Drives a tractor-trailer or heavy truck to move freight between cities, ports, warehouses and stores.

Average salary

$58,640

Salary range

$40,140 – $79,380

Training time

3 to 6 months + CDL

Job market

As fast as average

6/10

Work-life balance

Very demanding

3/10

A truck driver moves freight from one place to another in a tractor-trailer or another truck heavier than 26,000 pounds. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers on intercity routes that can cross several states, while others run regional or local routes and get home more often. Beyond driving, the job includes inspecting the truck before and after each trip, securing cargo, reading bills of lading, keeping a log of working hours under federal rules and reporting incidents to a dispatcher. Every driver needs a commercial driver's license (CDL). Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers hold 2,221,200 jobs and earn a median annual wage of $58,640. Employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 214,500 openings each year.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

An over-the-road company driver uses most of the daily 14-hour on-duty window to deliver one load and drive toward the next pickup, then sleeps in the truck.

5:30 AM - 6:00 AM
Pre-trip inspection
Walks around the tractor and trailer checking brakes, tires, lights, coupling and emergency equipment, and notes any defects.
6:00 AM - 6:15 AM
Review bill of lading and route
Confirms the delivery address and appointment time, and plans around roads that prohibit large trucks.
6:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Drive the first interstate leg
Highway driving in all weather, watching traffic, mirrors and gauges, with fuel and rest stops planned in advance.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Rest break and fuel stop
A planned stop to eat, fuel up and check that the load is still secure.
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Drive to the receiver
Covers the second leg and navigates city streets and tight turns to reach the customer's dock.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Deliver and collect signatures
Backs into the dock, waits while the load is unloaded, and gets signed receipts for the delivered goods.
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Call dispatch for next load
Reports the delivery and any problems, then receives the details and pickup time of the next assignment.
3:45 PM - 6:30 PM
Drive toward the next pickup
Drives empty or with a new trailer toward tomorrow's shipper, stopping before the daily driving limit runs out.
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Post-trip check and close logs
Inspects the rig again, records defects and closes the hours-of-service log before a 10-hour rest in the sleeper berth.

Task breakdown

A local driver hauls a refrigerated trailer from a distribution center to several supermarkets overnight, unloads at each stop and is home after the shift.

9:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Clock in and pre-trip inspection
Inspects the tractor and the refrigerated trailer, couples the trailer and cranks up the landing gear.
9:30 PM - 9:45 PM
Check paperwork and trailer temperature
Reviews the route sheet and delivery papers for each store and confirms the reefer unit holds the set temperature.
9:45 PM - 12:00 AM
Drive to first store and unload
Drives to the first supermarket, backs into its dock and moves pallets off with a pallet jack.
12:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Second and third store deliveries
Repeats the drop at two more stores, getting a signature from the night receiver at each one.
2:00 AM - 2:30 AM
Meal break
A break in the cab or at an all-night truck stop.
2:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Final drops and empty pallets
Delivers the last stores on the route and loads empty pallets and returns to bring back.
4:30 AM - 5:45 AM
Return to distribution center
Drives back before morning traffic and drops the trailer in the yard for reloading.
5:45 AM - 6:00 AM
Report to the dispatcher
Reports late stores, refused items, damage or near misses so the next route can be adjusted.
6:00 AM - 6:30 AM
Post-trip inspection and logs
Checks the truck for defects, writes up anything that needs repair and finishes the log of hours.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$40,140

Average

$58,640

Maximum

$79,380

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$40,140	$58,640	$79,380
Texas	$38,150	$56,290	$79,400
California	$41,830	$60,230	$81,960
Florida	$37,700	$50,640	$74,330
Pennsylvania	$43,560	$58,580	$78,330
Illinois	$39,710	$60,320	$86,300

Typical benefits

Solid pay without a degree

The median wage is well above many jobs with similar training time, and the top 10% earn more than $79,000 a year.

Fast entry

Truck driving school takes 3 to 6 months, and no prior work experience in a related job is required.

Steady demand

Trucks carry most US freight, and employment is projected to grow about as fast as average with about 214,500 openings a year.

Independence on the road

Drivers spend most of the day without a supervisor nearby and manage their own time within hours-of-service limits.

Path to running your own business

Some drivers become owner-operators who buy or lease trucks and find their own clients. Company drivers at larger carriers usually get employer health and retirement benefits, while owner-operators arrange their own.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Certificate

3 to 6 months

Professional truck driving school

Most drivers attend a private truck driving school or a community college program, then receive a certificate of completion. First-time Class A and Class B CDL applicants must complete entry-level driver training with a provider listed in FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. Entry-level driver training has no minimum number of hours: theory ends with an assessment scored at least 80%, and behind-the-wheel training is judged on proficiency.

Costs: Community college programs are priced at community-college rates (about $4,150 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public two-year college); private schools set their own prices, and some carriers pay tuition in exchange for a work commitment
Entry requirements: Most companies require a high school diploma or equivalent; schools check that you can qualify for a CDL learner's permit.
High school subjects: Training topics: Maneuvering large vehicles on highways and crowded streets, federal laws and regulations for interstate driving, vehicle inspection, cargo securement

License

At least 14 days between getting the learner's permit and taking the skills test; often a few weeks in total

Commercial driver's license (CDL)

Required for every heavy and tractor-trailer driver. Tractor-trailers fall under a Class A CDL. Requirements vary by state but include a knowledge test and a driving test. Interstate drivers must be at least 21, pass a physical exam every two years and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. The physical is done by a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry, and the medical certificate is valid for up to 24 months.

Costs: State fees for the learner's permit, tests and license; amounts vary by state
Entry requirements: Minimum age 21 for interstate driving; vision of at least 20/40 in each eye, adequate hearing and no disqualifying medical conditions. You must hold a commercial learner's permit for at least 14 days and complete entry-level driver training before the skills test.
High school subjects: Exam topics: General knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles (written tests); pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and road test (skills test)

Certificate

Theory training, a knowledge test and a TSA background check that can take several weeks

Hazardous materials (H) endorsement

Needed to haul hazardous materials such as chemical waste. Drivers pass an additional knowledge test and a background check. Other endorsements show you can drive specialized vehicles, such as tankers.

Costs: TSA security threat assessment fee about $85.25, plus state endorsement and test fees
Entry requirements: A valid CDL; US citizenship or lawful permanent residence; first-time applicants must complete entry-level driver training theory for the H endorsement; the TSA threat assessment is valid for up to 5 years and must be renewed.
High school subjects: Exam topics: Hazardous materials rules, special precautions and safety equipment for accidents

On-the-job training

Several weeks

Ride-along training with a mentor driver

After school and hiring, new drivers normally drive for several weeks with an experienced mentor in the passenger seat to learn the specific truck and cargo.

Costs: Paid by the employer; the trainee earns a wage.
Entry requirements: CDL and a job offer from a carrier.
High school subjects: Training topics: Company equipment, cargo types, customer procedures, logging hours

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Operating a tractor-trailerDriving, shifting, backing into docks and maneuvering a combination vehicle safely on highways and city streets.
Pre-trip and post-trip inspectionsChecking brakes, tires, lights, coupling and safety equipment, and recording any defects before and after each trip.
Coupling and cargo securementConnecting air and electrical lines, setting fifth-wheel locks and securing loads with chains, blocks, straps or covers.
Hours-of-service loggingKeeping an accurate record of driving and on-duty time within federal limits, usually on an electronic logging device.
Trip planningPlanning routes around truck restrictions, low bridges, rest periods and delivery appointment times.
Basic truck maintenanceAdding oil, fuel or coolant, doing minor repairs and reporting serious mechanical problems.

Soft skills

Monitoring and hazard awarenessConstantly watching traffic, weather, gauges and the load, and reacting early to trouble.
Decision making under pressureDeciding alone whether to stop for weather, reroute around a closure or refuse an unsafe load.
CommunicationClear updates to dispatchers and polite, efficient handoffs with shippers and receivers.
Time managementHitting delivery windows while fitting driving, breaks and rest into legal hour limits.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
CautiousnessA mistake with a fully loaded tractor-trailer cannot be undone, so careful drivers who avoid risks last longest in the job.
✓
Attention to detailSmall things matter: a missed defect on inspection, a wrong address on paperwork or a loose strap.
✓
DependabilityShippers and receivers plan around delivery times, and carriers reward drivers who show up and deliver on schedule.
✓
Comfort with solitudeLong-haul drivers spend most days and nights alone, far from family and friends.
✓
Good health and staminaLong hours sitting, irregular sleep and medical standards for the license make health part of the job.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

214,500

Trend

Growth

+3.8%

AI impact

4/10

Software already handles routing, dispatch and electronic logs, and driverless trucks have begun commercial runs in Texas. Most freight still needs a driver to inspect equipment, secure cargo, handle city streets and docks, and deal with customers, so the near-term effect is limited.

Regional demand

Texas

About 209,680 jobs; median pay $56,290 a year.

6/10

California

About 205,090 jobs; median pay $60,230 a year.

4/10

Florida

About 112,920 jobs; median pay $50,640 a year.

4/10

Pennsylvania

About 87,550 jobs; median pay $58,580 a year.

5/10

Illinois

About 84,200 jobs; median pay $60,320 a year.

5/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Student driver or trainee
0-1 years
Completes driving school and the CDL tests, then drives with a mentor before running solo.
Company driver
1-3 years
Runs solo on long-haul, regional or local routes assigned by a dispatcher, building a clean safety record.
Specialized driver or driver trainer
3-5 years
Adds endorsements such as hazmat or tanker to haul specialized loads, or mentors new drivers in their first weeks.
Owner-operator or fleet supervisor
5+ years
Buys or leases a truck and finds clients as an independent business, or moves into dispatch and driver supervision.

Horizontal move

Delivery driver
Drivers who want to be home every night can switch to local package and small shipment routes.
View Delivery Driver
Diesel mechanic
Drivers with mechanical interest can train to repair and maintain the trucks and diesel engines they know.
Garbage collector
Drivers who want a fixed local route can drive refuse and recycling trucks for cities or waste companies.

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Mostly full time and often more than 40 hours a week. Federal rules allow up to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window, then at least 10 hours off, and bar driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days. Nights, weekends and holidays are common.
Remote work: Not possible. Drivers are in the truck almost every working day, and the job ends at the dock.
Physical requirements: Demanding. Long hours sitting, coupling trailers, cranking landing gear and sometimes loading and unloading cargo, in all weather. Federal standards require at least 20/40 vision in each eye, the ability to hear a forced whisper at 5 feet, and a physical exam every two years.
Typical employers: Truck transportation companies (40% of jobs), wholesale trade (12%), manufacturing (7%) and construction (6%); about 7% are self-employed owner-operators.
Professional associations: The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) represents independent drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the federal regulator and publishes the CDL, medical and hours-of-service rules.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much do truck drivers make in the US?

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $58,640, or $28.19 per hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $40,140 and the top 10% more than $79,380. Pay varies by state: the median is $70,100 in Alaska and $50,640 in Florida.

How long does it take to become a truck driver?

Most people need a few months: truck driving programs at private schools and community colleges last between 3 and 6 months, and they include the federally required entry-level driver training. You then pass the CDL knowledge and driving tests. After hiring, new drivers usually spend several more weeks driving with a mentor before going solo.

Do you need a CDL to drive a truck?

Yes, you need a commercial driver's license to drive a tractor-trailer or any truck rated at 26,001 pounds or more. Tractor-trailers require a Class A CDL. You pass a knowledge test and a driving test, keep a clean driving record and pass a physical exam every two years. Hauling hazardous materials requires an extra H endorsement with its own test and background check.

How old do you have to be to drive a semi truck?

You must be at least 21 to drive a commercial truck across state lines, under federal FMCSA rules. States set their own minimum age for driving only within the state, and many issue a CDL at 18 for intrastate trips. That means younger drivers can often start on local or in-state routes and move to interstate work at 21.

How many hours do truck drivers work?

Truck drivers often work long weeks: 80% report working more than 40 hours. Federal rules allow a long-haul driver up to 11 hours behind the wheel within a 14-hour on-duty window, followed by at least 10 hours off. Drivers may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days; 34 hours off in a row resets that count.

Is truck driving a good career?

Truck driving pays well for a job you can start in a few months, but the lifestyle is hard. The median wage is $58,640, and employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade, with about 214,500 openings a year. The downsides are time away from home, long hours, irregular sleep and one of the highest injury rates of any occupation.

Which states pay truck drivers the most?

Alaska has the highest median wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers at $70,100, followed by Washington at $64,760 and the District of Columbia at $64,170. Texas has the most jobs, 209,680, with a median of $56,290. Among the large trucking states, Illinois ($60,320) and California ($60,230) pay above the national median.

Will self-driving trucks replace truck drivers?

Not in the near term. Driverless trucks have begun commercial runs in Texas, but employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is still projected to grow 4% over the next decade. Much of the job is hard to automate: inspecting equipment, coupling trailers, securing cargo, backing into docks, dealing with customers and handling city streets and bad weather.

Explore further

Related professions

Delivery Driver
Drives a van or small truck to pick up and deliver packages and goods to homes and businesses.

In depth

All about truck driver

The background, context and details.

Long-haul, regional and local: three different jobs

Truck drivers fall under occupation 53-3032, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers: people who drive a tractor-trailer or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds. The group holds 2,221,200 jobs. The title covers very different lifestyles. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers who deliver over intercity routes that sometimes span several states, and this is a lifestyle choice because they can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. Some drivers run one or two routes regularly, while others take many different routes across the country, and some routes include Canada or Mexico. Companies also use team drivers on long runs: one sleeps in the berth while the other drives.

Local and regional work trades miles for stops. A driver hauling for a grocery chain, a building supplier or a manufacturer may be home every day, but often works nights and handles more docks, tighter streets and sometimes unloading. Construction employs 6% of drivers and manufacturing 7%, while truck transportation companies employ 40% and wholesale trade 12%. Cargo type changes the job too. Hazardous materials, liquids, oversized loads and cars each come with their own rules, and hazmat requires an H endorsement on the CDL.

The rules that shape your week

Few jobs are regulated as tightly. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allows a long-haul driver up to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window, followed by at least 10 hours off. A driver may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, and 34 consecutive hours off resets that count. Every hour is logged. These rules decide when you sleep, where you park and how far you can get before a delivery appointment. Medical standards apply too: at least 20/40 vision in each eye, the ability to hear a forced whisper at 5 feet, and a physical exam every two years. Conditions such as epilepsy or high blood pressure that interfere with driving can disqualify a driver. A DUI conviction or a felony involving a motor vehicle can cost you the CDL.

Pay across the country

The national median wage is $58,640, and the middle half of drivers earn between $47,960 and $69,120. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $40,140 and the top 10% more than $79,380. Location matters. Alaska has the highest median at $70,100, followed by Washington ($64,760) and the District of Columbia ($64,170). Among the states with the most jobs, Illinois ($60,320) and California ($60,230) pay above the national median, Pennsylvania ($58,580) is close to it, and Texas ($56,290) and Florida ($50,640) pay less. Specialized freight and owner-operator work can pay more, but owner-operators also carry the cost of the truck, fuel and insurance. Official wage data do not break pay down by years of experience.

Getting hired: what carriers check

Carriers look first at the license and the record. You need a CDL, and first-time Class A and Class B applicants must complete entry-level driver training with a registered provider before testing. Interstate drivers must be at least 21. Expect a review of your driving record, a medical exam and drug and alcohol testing, and know that some companies set stricter standards than federal law. On a resume or application, list your CDL class and endorsements, the equipment you have driven (dry van, reefer, flatbed, tanker), your safe miles and any accidents or violations honestly. New drivers should name their school and the hours of behind-the-wheel training. After hiring, expect several weeks with a mentor driver before going solo.

The honest downsides

The risks are real: heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations, and one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities. 80% of drivers work more than 40 hours a week and 76% are exposed to all weather conditions every day. Long-haul drivers spend much of their time alone and away from family, sleep in the cab, and often work nights, weekends and holidays. Many hours are spent sitting, which takes a toll over a career. Automation is a longer-term question: driverless trucks have begun commercial runs in Texas. For now employment is still projected to grow 4%, with about 214,500 openings a year, many of them to replace drivers who leave or retire.