What Do Truck Drivers Do?
We’ve laid out all of the information you need to become a truck driver, hammered out some details about the job, and even let slide a few insider pieces of information you likely never heard of before.
There are several pieces of information you likely need in order to better understand what it means to be a truck driver, what kind of requirements you’ll need to meet, and how to become a truck driver.
For example, did you know that there are strict federal laws regulating the amount of time and the distance you can drive as an employed truck driver?
Did you know that part of your duties as a truck driver includes keeping strict laws?
Did you know you might be required to pass rigorous exams, certification programs, and even take part in an apprenticeship before you’re able to become a full-fledged truck driver?
What a lot of people don’t understand about being a truck driver is that there’s a lot more to it than simply jumping behind the wheel and moving freight from one spot to another.
In fact, it’s a relatively complicated career with lots to learn!
Still interested in a truck driving career and learning about the requirements?
We thought you might be.
Check out all of the details below:
Typically, a truck driver is a person responsible for moving a certain amount of goods from one location to another in a large, oversized semi-truck.
Truck drivers are required to guarantee the safe delivery of these goods on a deadline, within the schedule, and typically without issue.
Truck drivers are responsible for delivering and picking up shipments, maintaining the trucks they drive, loading freight, transporting materials, and tracking their logs of driving times according to federal law.
Truck drivers typically are assigned routes by dispatchers, but many drivers are responsible for planning their own routes.
Drivers must plan legally required rest periods into their trips, even if they’re not tired.
Drivers are required to adhere to all safety regulations, follow all traffic laws, and carry specialized safety equipment in case of an accident.
Drivers must also know and abide by all special traffic laws that apply to them specifically.
Duties
- transporting freight
- loading freight
- keeping truck clean and functioning
- fixing small truck issues
- reporting larger truck issues
- maintaining driving logs
- abiding by federal law for driving logs
- maintaining a schedule
- maintaining certification for licenses and requirements
- logging correct and legal hours and miles according to federal law
- drive long distances
- follow applicable traffic laws
- report serious mechanical issues to proper channels
- keep vehicles in good working order
- secure cargo for transport in the appropriate fashion
- reporting incidents occurred during their travels.
Let's Talk Salary
Many people believe that truck drivers bring in the big bucks, and while in some cases that might be true, on average, truck drivers make a pretty standard salary.
Truck drivers make a median base salary of about $50.971.
Their salary ranges are based on specific circumstances, certifications, and specifications within their companies.
The reported range begins at $45,012 and ends around $58,000.
Salary will range depending on the state, jurisdiction, establishment, and specific employment requirements.
In fact, it has been reported from Monster.com that while entry level drivers are able to make about $30,000, some teams of truck drivers are able push up to about $100,000 of annual salary.
The salary will always depend on specific circumstances, but can be expected to range anywhere from about $45,000 to $58,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Annually National Average Salary: $55,990
Average Annual Salary by State
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $51,940 |
| Alaska | $65,870 |
| Arizona | $52,760 |
| Arkansas | $51,530 |
| California | $58,270 |
| Colorado | $58,300 |
| Connecticut | $56,420 |
| Delaware | $54,810 |
| District of Columbia | $63,630 |
| Florida | $52,760 |
| Georgia | $55,740 |
| Hawaii | $57,290 |
| Idaho | $54,420 |
| Illinois | $59,470 |
| Indiana | $57,710 |
| Iowa | $53,470 |
| Kansas | $55,620 |
| Kentucky | $55,070 |
| Louisiana | $49,780 |
| Maine | $50,740 |
| Maryland | $57,690 |
| Massachusetts | $57,400 |
| Michigan | $53,110 |
| Minnesota | $59,900 |
| Mississippi | $52,760 |
| Missouri | $53,440 |
| Montana | $56,900 |
| Nebraska | $58,680 |
| Nevada | $57,990 |
| New Hampshire | $57,760 |
| New Jersey | $64,270 |
| New Mexico | $48,890 |
| New York | $60,910 |
| North Carolina | $52,980 |
| North Dakota | $58,680 |
| Ohio | $55,610 |
| Oklahoma | $52,480 |
| Oregon | $59,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,530 |
| Rhode Island | $58,610 |
| South Carolina | $53,450 |
| South Dakota | $56,710 |
| Tennessee | $55,420 |
| Texas | $54,550 |
| Utah | $56,480 |
| Vermont | $53,260 |
| Virginia | $53,530 |
| Washington | $63,160 |
| West Virginia | $48,460 |
| Wisconsin | $55,970 |
| Wyoming | $60,030 |
| Guam | $37,740 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,710 |
| Virgin Islands | $44,940 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 5 States
The top earning state in the field is Alaska, where the average salary is $65,870.
These are the top 5 earning states in the field:
Conducted by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Truck Driver
Step 1Get Yourself a Regular Driver's License
If you’re not certified and able to drive a regular car, you better believe that you’re not certified to drive a giant truck!
Make sure that you have your regular license first in order to qualify for your career driving delivery trucks and earning a commercial driver’s license — called a CDL.
Step 2Complete Your Education Requirements
You should hold your high school degree when applying for a truck driving job, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s not necessarily required.
Serious candidates attend and complete the truck driving curriculum from accredited community colleges, vocational schools, and private driving schools.
These programs are typically several months to a full year and will likely cost tuition — there’s always tuition assistance to consider.
Step 3Earn Your Required Licenses
As we said above, you’ll need to pass your CDL exam, the details of which you should have learned in on the job training or in your educational courses.
Drivers are required to pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation exam as well which tests physical sight and hearing, federal traffic laws, and more.
It’s possible that you might have to hold a Commercial Learners Permit while you learn under the experience of the guidance of CDL licensed driver.
Step 4Experience
If you have trouble landing a job after you’ve completed your education and finished your certification, consider finding a program that allows for internships and apprenticeships in order to build your skills before you set out on your own.
What Education is Required
Sometimes, just a high school diploma is required to become a truck driver, but other times, becoming a truck driver involves much more schooling than that.
Some jurisdictions require that you participate in specific, accredited community college courses, vocational school courses, or private training courses.
While the requirements vary, it’s always beneficial for your career to participate in these courses.
Video About The Career
What Certification is Required?
This will vary.
In some states, a simple drivers’ license will do, but in most areas, you’ll need ot pass licensing exams.
You likely will need to pass your state CDL exam with endorsements.
You will also need to pass your Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation exam that includes physical sight, hearing assessments, and a written section on federal laws.
Certification Example:
Average Training Program Duration: 6-12 Months
Popular Programs
What is the Job Outlook for Truck Drivers?
This industry is expected to grow at a rate of about 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as average for all other occupations in the United States.
As households and business increase their spending and commercialism, so too will the trucking industry increase.
Employment Growth Projection: 6%
2020
2030
That's a higher than average projected growth of 122,000 jobs.
Truck Driver: Interest Over Time
Should You Become a Truck Driver?
Overall Satisfaction: Medium
Before you take a sole look at the benefits of being a truck driver, consider some of the downfalls, too, and consider how they factor into our overall satisfaction score of medium.
Yes, as a truck driver you have the ability to make good money and your job occupancy rate is expected to grow exponentially.
These are wonderful career factors, but consider things you’ll sacrifice like convenience, time away from family and friends, limited truck parking, and of course, irregular and hard-to-adjust-to sleeping patterns.
This industry has a very high turnover rate with employees who have a fair amount of stress, however ,it does pay well and does offer you flexibility, freedom, and job security.
Many people choose to become truck drivers, and continue to be satisfied with that decision, because it provides job security.
According to the American Trucking Association, there’s a serious shortage in segments of the industry that could interrupt the US distribution system — in other words, there’s no shortage on the demand for reliable truck drivers.
Others find themselves satisfied with truck driving careers because they’re a cure for the common 9-5 work week.
You can work 70 hours a week, but no trip is ever the same, and often, every trip is eventful in some way.
Additionally, the pay is quite comparable for the kind of work being done, and although schedules can be complicated and your sleeping pattern likely won’t ever be the same, the salary has been known to be enough to make people look over these negatives.
Average Salary: High
The average salary of truck driers in the United States is about $50,971, with a range from $45,000 to about $58,000.
This has grown significantly in the past few years and is expected to continue to grow.
Ten years ago, entry level truckers were earning about $20,000 — now-a-days, truckers are earning about $30,000 at entry level, and the most experienced of truckers are making about $85,000 a year.
In fact, according to Monster. Com, there are a few people in the industry who are making about $100,000 yearly.
For the type of work being done and the demands needing to be met, the salary is relatively high.
Job Growth Outlook: Medium
While this career path offers job security, it’s not expected to grow at a rate any faster than the average occupation in America.
Currently, this industry is expected to grow by about 6 percent from 2016-2026.
This is quite the bid for job security for the industry.
According to Monster.com, the American Trucking Company Association reported that there is a serious shortage of some segments in the trucking industry that stand to seriously disrupt the US distribution systems.
In other words, it’s guaranteed that more qualified men and women will be needed.
In addition, technological advancements should result in trucks that are more fuel efficient and easier to drive, allowing for room to allow more people into the industry who might have a harder time becoming truck drivers presently.
The advancing technologies will likely help to ease — or even erase — the burden and create a safer driving environment for all vehicles, further opening the possibilities for new drivers.
Education Duration: 6-12 Months
While some establishments will only require a high school education, it’s possible you’ll need to endure several months or up to a full year of vocational courses, community college education, or private training to become a truck driver.
Some establishes will require about a full year of training, education, and experience, however, there are private training establishment programs that might allow for an expedited, more hands-on training system that will reduce the time you spend in training and educational courses.
Personal Skills Needed
You will need to have personal skills such as:
- mental toughness
- endurance
- determination
- communication
- ability to function alone
- ability to work in a team
- ability to identify issues quickly
- problem solving
- creative thinking
- passion
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do You Make Good Money as a Truck Driver?
As a truck driver, you are expected to make a median salary of about $50,970 with a possible range of $45,000 to about $58,000.
It’s possible that truck drivers can make a range of about $30,000 to about $100,000 according to Monster.com, although these are not national averages and are likely outliers.
Q. How Long Does it Take to Become a Truck Driver?
Depending on the coursework and program you’re participating in for training, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to an entire year.
There are several private programs that can help you to complete your training in just a few weeks, but it’s likely that you’re going to pay more money in order to become certified.
There are vocational and community college courses that can help you earn the education you need to pass necessary exams and train you in just under a full year.
Q. What License Do You Need to be a Truck Driver?
You will need to pass your commercial drivers license exam as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation.
Additionally, you’ll need to have your regular driver’s license before you’re able to apply and complete other driver’s license certifications.
You’l need special license endorsements and a completion of driving skills and safety courses.
Q. What Kind of Skills Do You Need to be a Truck Driver?
You will need personal skills such as determination, endurance, creative problem solving, the ability to stick to a deadline, a safety conscious mind, organization, and acquired skills related directly to the field.
You will need good communication skills, the ability to work within the customer service realm, possess excellent judgement, have excellent hearing and vision, and be physically able to sit for long periods of time without stretching or walking around.
Q. How Much Does it Cost to be a Truck Driver?
Typically, trucking schools will cost anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on what kind of license class you’re looking for.
Some programs are available to you that will allow for financial aid, some prospective employers might front the cash in order for you to complete this program, and loans are available for this as well.
Truck Driver Information by State
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In-depth guide on becoming a truck driver, covering requirements, responsibilities, and salaries. Impressive insights provided, showing complexities beyond driving. Prospective truckers get a well-rounded view.
You can get your CDL within 3 weeks at a truck driving school (will cost around $4000)
From there, you will need to work as a team driver with an experienced trucker for a large company for at least 3 months before you can drive on your own. Also, if you want to do local work, you will need a minimum of 2 years driving experience before they will hire you (insurance regulation).
Once you have 2 years and up, you can get top pay by working for specialty companies.
If being home daily is your thing, you can work pulling containers from railyards to customers within a few hours drive and back and still make over $1000 a week take home.
Worst part of the job is the traffic. You’ll spend 1/4 of all your working time stuck in it.
I’m glad that you bring up how it’s important to pass the commercial driver’s license exam before becoming a professional truck driver. My older brother is considering becoming a truck driver in the future. I’ll be sure to send your article to him so he knows what to expect!
Woah. I totally appreciate this resource. It has set me in the right path and I appreciate the heads up.
I like this. I totally do and I can’t wait to land an apprenticeship with a big transportation company to start with.
Woah. I can actually make a career in truck driving and I see it could be in my future. Just that I don’t know how I’ll start but I believe this guide would really help.
This job is fun. I love that there are strict federal laws regulating the amount of time and the distance you can drive as an employed truck driver. This makes it easy for you to work on your plan and deliver well.
Getting my CDL wasn’t really easy I must say. It took months in the driving school and another long-time learning truck driving under an expert before I was given my license.
Wow. I need to have a regular license first in order to qualify for a career driving delivery trucks and earning a commercial driver’s license? Hmmm.
Yup. If you’re not certified and able to drive a regular car, then you’re not certified to drive a giant truck! Exactly what I was told when I went to learn the art. So, you should have that in mind.