How to hire a cdl class a driver

How to hire a cdl class a driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step cdl class a driver hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a cdl class a driver job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new cdl class a driver
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a cdl class a driver do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the cdl class a driver you need to hire. Certain cdl class a driver roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a cdl class a driver to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a cdl class a driver that fits the bill.

   This list presents cdl class a driver salaries for various positions.

   Type of CDL Class A Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   CDL Class A Driver	Heavy and tractor–trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Most tractor–trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) capacity—that is, the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo—exceeds 26,000 pounds... Show more	$17-36
   Truck Driver-Over-The-Road	A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is a professional driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach... Show more	$24-45
   Haul Truck Driver	Haul Truck Drivers are skilled professional drivers. They are licensed to drive around heavy vehicles such as trucks... Show more	$19-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OTR
   • Customer Service
   • Hazmat
   • Customer Locations
   • Math
   • DOT Regulations
   • Basic Math
   • Pallet Jack
   • Pallets
   • Safety Regulations
   • Materials Handling
   • Vehicle Inspections
   • GPS
   • Cleanliness

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Well verse in HAZMAT carriage and delivery precautions and protocols.
   • Maintain the company vehicle's emergency equip, inspections, and cleanliness.
   • Maintain a standard level of cleanliness for each truck and trailer after the trip are completed.
   • Plan OTR travel routes in accordance with traffic and bulk cargo transportation laws, regulations and guidelines.
   • Well verse in using GPS and maps to chart out time and cost efficient routes for delivery purposes.
   • Place empty carts and pallets in trailers so they will be available to facilitate placement and movement of goods.

   More cdl class a driver duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cdl class a driver job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A cdl class a driver salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a cdl class a driver in California may be lower than in North Dakota, and an entry-level cdl class a driver usually earns less than a senior-level cdl class a driver. Additionally, a cdl class a driver with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average cdl class a driver salary

   $52,203yearly

   $25.10 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level cdl class a driver salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average cdl class a driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$65,581	$32
   2	Delaware	$63,443	$31
   3	Pennsylvania	$62,888	$30
   4	Illinois	$62,067	$30
   5	Maryland	$61,438	$30
   6	Oregon	$61,286	$29
   7	New York	$61,135	$29
   8	Kansas	$60,147	$29
   9	Ohio	$59,683	$29
   10	Nebraska	$59,673	$29
   11	Maine	$59,612	$29
   12	Minnesota	$59,198	$28
   13	Indiana	$58,154	$28
   14	Iowa	$58,138	$28
   15	Wisconsin	$57,989	$28
   16	Michigan	$57,791	$28
   17	Georgia	$57,271	$28
   18	Utah	$57,138	$27
   19	North Carolina	$56,919	$27
   20	Tennessee	$56,577	$27

   Average cdl class a driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Mid-South Management	$83,118	$39.96
   2	Bob's Discount Furniture	$71,338	$34.30	3
   3	Ryder System	$69,847	$33.58	875
   4	Old Dominion Freight Line	$69,834	$33.57	31
   5	The Arc Mercer	$68,449	$32.91
   6	Alliance Transportation Group	$66,774	$32.10
   7	Exel Inc.	$66,335	$31.89	6
   8	J Rayl Transport	$65,864	$31.67
   9	Lily Transportation	$64,908	$31.21	132
   10	Truckmovers	$64,780	$31.14
   11	Koch Trucking	$64,224	$30.88	5
   12	North American Corporation	$64,108	$30.82
   13	Lazer Spot	$63,967	$30.75	211
   14	Holland Enterprises	$63,327	$30.45	1
   15	TMC Transportation	$63,119	$30.35	1
   16	Holland Special Delivery	$62,776	$30.18
   17	McLane	$60,417	$29.05	97
   18	Landair Express	$60,293	$28.99	114
   19	Cargo Express	$60,249	$28.97
   20	Dedicated Logistics	$59,677	$28.69	2

4. Writing a cdl class a driver job description

   A job description for a cdl class a driver role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a cdl class a driver job description:

   Cdl class a driver job description example

   Hiring immediately CDL A OTR Drivers in Elkhart, IN
   
   Are you someone who enjoys a career where you can make a lasting impact? Does the thought of working with a team of all-stars crafting high quality products excite you? If you’re an individual who takes immense pride in the quality of work you produce and have a personal commitment to safety, you should apply to join our team as one of our CDL A Drivers !
   
   We currently have open opportunities for CDL A OTR Drivers in the NE Indiana area. Pay rate is $0.60 per mile, $20.50/hour detention, $30 per diem.

   Dexter i s the premier supplier and manufacturer of axles, doors, venting products, and related components. We proudly manufacture axles for the utility trailer, boat trailer, recreational vehicle, heavy duty, and manufactured housing markets. Our customers choose the Dexter brand for our commitment to high quality and on-time products. We currently employ over 2,800 people throughout 18 manufacturing facilities across the United States and Canada.

   
   Why You’ll Love Working for Us (Our Benefits)

   Dexter offers a competitive salary along with comprehensive benefits. Our benefits package includes:

   • Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
   • Short & Long-Term Disability
   • Flexible Spending Account
   • Health Savings Account
   • 401(k) plan with company contributions

   What We Need from You (Our Requirements)

   • Must have a class A CDL
   • Flatbed experience required
   • Be safety conscious, detail oriented, and work well with others in a team environment
   • Prior trucking experience & a good driving record
   • Be able to lift up to 55lbs
   • Flexible to work overtime as required
   • Great attendance history

   Text "DEXTER" to 25000 to Apply!!

   Dexter is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find cdl class a drivers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your cdl class a driver job on Zippia to find and recruit cdl class a driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit cdl class a drivers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new cdl class a driver

   Once you've found the cdl class a driver candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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