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How to hire a class a driver

Class a driver hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring class a drivers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a class a driver is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per class a driver on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 1,301,615 class a drivers in the US, and there are currently 706,950 job openings in this field.
  • Houston, TX, has the highest demand for class a drivers, with 54 job openings.

How to hire a class a driver, step by step

To hire a class a driver, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a class a driver:

Here's a step-by-step 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 class a driver job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new class a driver
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a class a driver do?

A Class A driver is an individual driver who has acquired a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate trucks or commercial vehicles to transport materials and heavy equipment. Class A drivers are required to plan over-the-road (OTR) travel by using GPS and ensure that they follow bulk cargo transportation laws, regulations, and guidelines. They must conduct proper maintenance of the company vehicles and provide accurate daily logs to stay in compliance with the company's regulations. Class A drivers should also know how to operate equipment such as citizen band (CB) radios and telephones.

Learn more about the specifics of what a class a driver does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The class a driver hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A class a driver's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, class a drivers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    Here's a comparison of class a driver salaries for various roles:

    Type of Class A DriverDescriptionHourly rate
    Class A DriverHeavy 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$18-38
    Truck Driver Class AThe responsibilities of a Truck Driver Class A mainly revolves around driving heavy vehicles and ensuring that all transported goods meet the expected delivery deadlines and quality. The Driver needs to have a Class A license and be emotionally and physically healthy to qualify... Show more$20-44
    Tractor-Trailer DriverA tractor-trailer driver is responsible for picking up and delivering goods and services from distribution centers and warehouses to different locations across the country as required. Tractor-trailer drivers manage the best route planning to prevent delays... Show more$19-40
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • Customer Service
    • OTR
    • Post-Trip Inspections
    • Hazmat
    • Delivery Schedules
    • Pallets
    • DOT Regulations
    • PET
    • Punctuality
    • Safety Regulations
    • Customer Locations
    • Hazardous Materials
    • Cleanliness
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Pick up and deliver LTL freight
    • Inspect tractor and trailers daily per CDL regulations.
    • Deliver pet products to veterinarian and pet supply stores.
    • Pick up and delivery as a truckload, OTR driver.
    • Drive OTR and load and unload truck full of household goods.
    • Deliver and pick up freight and hazmat materials in bay area and central valley.
    More class a driver duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your class a driver job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A 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 class a driver in Washington may be lower than in Vermont, and an entry-level class a driver usually earns less than a senior-level class a driver. Additionally, a 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 class a driver salary

    $56,620yearly

    $27.22 hourly rate

    Entry-level class a driver salary
    $39,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average class a driver salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Pennsylvania$66,978$32
    2New York$66,485$32
    3New Jersey$65,601$32
    4Massachusetts$65,504$31
    5Maryland$63,873$31
    6Kentucky$63,854$31
    7Delaware$63,850$31
    8Georgia$63,097$30
    9Illinois$63,077$30
    10Minnesota$62,721$30
    11Tennessee$62,247$30
    12Mississippi$62,100$30
    13Indiana$61,992$30
    14Virginia$61,933$30
    15Ohio$61,535$30
    16Oklahoma$61,150$29
    17North Carolina$61,056$29
    18Missouri$60,950$29
    19Michigan$60,820$29
    20Maine$60,803$29

    Average class a driver salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Mid-South Management$83,021$39.91
    2Tyson Foods$76,699$36.871
    3Xylem$71,937$34.597
    4Parr Lumber$70,864$34.072
    5Ryder System$69,667$33.49870
    6Curacao$68,064$32.72
    7Eagle Transport$66,728$32.08
    8Alliance Transportation Group$66,619$32.03
    9Royal Trucking$66,183$31.821
    10Exel Inc.$66,159$31.8110
    11J Rayl Transport$66,053$31.76
    12Covenant$65,820$31.647
    13Nationwide Express$65,763$31.62
    14Barney Trucking$64,788$31.1517
    15Bay and Bay Transportation$64,659$31.095
    16S&H Express$64,573$31.047
    17Transportation Services, Inc. (tsi)$64,250$30.89
    18Gypsum Express$64,176$30.85
    19Koch Trucking$64,123$30.835
    20Premier Transportation$63,996$30.77786
  4. Writing a class a driver job description

    A good class a driver job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a class a driver job description:

    Class a driver job description example

    Operate a commercial vehicle to transport product between two local destinations while following all regulatory and company safety standards, policies, and procedures. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
    • Deliver frozen and/or refrigerated freight to and from local locations
    • Provide excellent customer service to our customers while delivering quality products to each location and/or store
    • Maintain schedule to ensure on time pick-up and delivery; may be required to read out the digital tachograph timely
    • Account for and inspect freight to prevent rejection or potential claim issues; may include checking the loading temperature and monitoring it during transport
    • Ensure accuracy of paperwork with the delivery and that all requirements are met in coordination with the dispatch and operations departments
    • Maintain accurate and up to date driver logs for hours of service and equipment maintenance
    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES)
    • 18 month's operating a Class A commercial vehicle experience
    • Valid license(s) for commercial/professional drivers
    • Ability to understand instructions in Country's official language or as defined by Lineage Logistics
    • Ability to work in temperatures as low as -20 Fahrenheit/-25 Celsius in cold storage sites or up to 100 Fahrenheit/37 Celsius in dry storage sites while wearing company provided personal protective equipment and freezer gear
    • May be required to lift a minimum of 40 lbs./18 kgs.; weight may be more dependent upon facility
    • Ability to work a flexible work schedule and shift, including weekends if needed
    • Must be comfortable with various noise levels, at times, can be loud

    INDSP

    Why Lineage?
    This is an excellent position to begin your career path within Lineage! Success in this role enables greater responsibilities and promotions! A career at Lineage starts with learning about our business and how each team member plays a part each and every day to satisfy our customers' requirements. Beyond that, you'll help us grow and learn on our journey to be the very best employer in our industry. We'll ask you for your opinion and ensure we do our part to keep you developing and engaged as we grow our business. Working at Lineage is energizing and enjoyable. We value respect and care about our team members.

    Lineage is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful harassment and retaliation. Lineage will not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability or any other protected status under federal, state and local law.
    Benefits
    Lineage provides safe, stable, reliable work environments, competitive pay, excellent Health and Dental benefits, 401K, and Paid Time Off and Sick Days

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right class a driver for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your class a driver job on Zippia to find and recruit class a driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with class a driver candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 class a driver

    Once you have selected a candidate for the class a driver position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    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 class a driver first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a class a driver?

There are different types of costs for hiring class a drivers. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new class a driver employee.

The median annual salary for class a drivers is $56,620 in the US. However, the cost of class a driver hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a class a driver for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $18 and $38 an hour.

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