What does a Truck Driver do?
Truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a total weight exceeding 26,000 pounds for the vehicle, passengers, and cargo.
Some truck drivers have one or two routes that they drive regularly, and other drivers take many different routes throughout the country. In addition, some drivers have routes that include Mexico or Canada.
Some long-haul truck drivers, also called owner-operators, buy or lease trucks and go into business for themselves.
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Get career advice
Our career coaches can help you make a plan.
Working as a Truck Driver
Depending on their roles, qualifications, specialization and years of experience, a truck driver may:
- Report any incidents encountered on the road to a dispatcher
- Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chains, or covers
- Inspect their trailers before and after the trip and record any defects they find
- Maintain a log of their working hours, following all federal and state regulations
- Report serious mechanical problems to the appropriate people
- Keep their trucks and associated equipment clean and in good working order
- Follow all applicable traffic laws
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
How much does a Truck Driver make in the United States?
Average base salary
The average salary for a truck driver is $1,553 per week in the United States. 394.3k salaries reported, updated at September 27, 2023
Where can a Truck Driver earn more?
Compare salaries for Truck Drivers in different locations
How much do similar professions get paid in United States?
Delivery Driver
Job openingsAverage $18.56 per hour
Local Driver
Job openingsAverage $24.07 per hour
Owner Operator Driver
Job openingsAverage $5,923 per week
Route Driver
Job openingsAverage $20.24 per hour
Van Driver
Job openingsAverage $17.23 per hour
How do Truck Drivers rate their jobs?
Overview
Based on 31,549 reviews
Reviews
Hard work, but decent pay with Job Security
Written by CDL Driver D-Bay (Former Employee) at PepsiCo - San Antonio, TX – September 9, 2015
For those with a CDL finding a job that gets you home every single night, and has weekends off is the golden ticket. And that ticket can be punched at Pepsi. Worked as a side bay driver, internally called D-bay driver.
The pay is base plus commission. Drivers are paid weekly. Schedule is Monday through Friday. For CDL drivers you cannot drive more than 60 hours per week, which is nice compared to the 70 hour rule that applies to nearly everyone else.
During your training, which can take up to four weeks, you will be paid hourly, within 40-50 hours worked per week. The work is physical. 16-20 stops per day. 500-600 cases, 300-400 cases in the winter. Up to 75 cases per stop.
The job is very demanding. Not only are you a truck driver, but you lump your own load and have to be on top of your customer service game. Customers can and will be extremely picky at times.
Benefits are decent and are available on day one. No 60 or 90 day waiting period. Day one benefits and they are affordable.
Bottom line is that you are going to work your butt off for Pepsi. But you will be home every night and won't work more than 60 hours a week.
- Facebook
- Twitter
Challenging Workplace C.R. England/Swift Transportation
Written by Professional Truck Driver (Former Employee) at C.R. England - Fontana, CA – March 16, 2015
A typical day at work is in a semi tractor trailer on the road. My Skills i acquired are Proper operation of a 73 foot semi tractor trailer in rural, urban, and open road environments, proper operation of on board computer for load details,safe driving habits,DOT compliance laws,Mapping and load trip planning from state to state. Management was very punctual on returning questions for loads,weather forecasts, and weekly training, as well as friendly and respectful.
co-workers were helpful well prepared. The hardest part of this job is being away from you family for months at a time. The most enjoyable part of the job is being on the open road, site seeing, busy every day of the week and the benefits.
Pros
Challenging, fun, busy
Cons
time away from home
- Facebook
- Twitter
Good start for new driver
Written by Professional Truck Driver (Former Employee) at C.R. England - Salt Lake City, Ut – August 12, 2015
Typical day at work was driving 8-9 hours with a few breaks in between. Learning was for the most part was very good, training and counseling was always available in numerous States. Management always made themselves readily available. Co-workers were team players, willing to lend a helping hand. The hardest part of the job was often sharing the truck with a stranger/new driver. The most enjoyable part of the job was you were never alone, someone was always there with you.
Pros
Must be a people person
Cons
Lack of healthcare benefits
- Facebook
- Twitter
Productive work place. Hard work and much hustling during the day.
Written by Truck Driver (Current Employee) at FedEx - Grayslake, IL – July 28, 2019
You will be assigned to a daily route. This may become mundane to many. You will work hard n fast and efficient. You will also have scheduled pick ups at a assigned time daily. You must work round your delivery schedule to make your pick ups happen.
- Facebook
- Twitter
It is for some people, no supervision
Written by Truck Driver (Former Employee) at Schneider - Green Bay, WI – May 12, 2015
Drive 10 hr shift, deal with docks alot.
I am not an over the road trucker.
The dispatcher were understanding but firm, if you had a problem with delivery time or a load they were usually there to help
Teamed with my husband
the hardest part was that you never went home from the work. Cramped quarters and no bathroom (lol)
Seeing the country.
Pros
Traveled the country, your basically own boss
Cons
Always driving, now showers or bathrooms. never home
- Facebook
- Twitter
Common questions about for a Truck Driver
How long does it take to become a truck driver?
If attending a full-time training program, you can most likely get your commercial driver's license (CDL) in an average of 7 weeks.
What is an over-the road (OTR) truck driver?
OTR refers to drivers who transport materials over long distances, as opposed to local routes. These drivers are away from home for longer periods at a time and they usually sleep in their truck.
How can I get my CDL A?
You can get a Class A CDL permit by passing a series of written exams. In most states, the written tests to get a Class A CDL permit include General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combination vehicles. A CDL driving test must be passed in which the driver completes a 3-part exam that includes a pre-trip inspection test, basic control skills test, and driving test at either a state CDL test site or approved 3rd party test site in the testing State.
