How to hire a fleet manager

How to hire a fleet manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fleet manager hiring guide:

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

What does a fleet manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the fleet manager you need to hire. Certain fleet manager 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 fleet manager 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 fleet manager that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of fleet managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Fleet Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Fleet Manager		$14-37
   Transportation Director	Transportation Directors are responsible for managing an organization's transportation operations. They are involved in supervising transportation projects, monitoring performance, research workflow processes, conduct strategic meetings with stakeholders, administer the budgeting process, and ensures programs comply with state and federal regulations... Show more	$14-41
   Transportation Officer	A Transportation Officer is an expert in all transport affairs. Serving in this role, your duties will include ensuring the provision of transportation to inmates for medical appointments and emergency response... Show more	$13-43

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • DOT
   • Vehicle Fleet
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Fleet Management
   • Parts Inventory
   • CDL
   • Fleet Operations
   • Safety Standards
   • Fleet Maintenance
   • GPS
   • Vehicle Management
   • Equipment Maintenance
   • Cost Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage company LTL program, including, billing and new account acquisition.
   • Manage EDI information and ensure it is accurate and complete each week.
   • Manage the team to get all employees with the company, certify in ISO.
   • Manage thousands of tons of fertilizer deliver through the CSX railcars in a monthly basis.
   • Manage operations for an OTR account, which includes hiring, driver turnover, payroll, training employees and monitoring safety.
   • Implement and manage vehicle telematics program.

   More fleet manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fleet manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A fleet manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, fleet managers' average salary in iowa is 38% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fleet managers earn 60% less than senior-level fleet managers.
   • Certifications. A fleet manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a fleet manager's salary.

   Average fleet manager salary

   $49,492yearly

   $23.79 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fleet manager salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

   Average fleet manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$56,200	$27
   2	Virginia	$54,090	$26
   3	Texas	$53,827	$26
   4	New York	$53,624	$26
   5	North Carolina	$51,244	$25
   6	Connecticut	$48,648	$23
   7	Nevada	$48,495	$23
   8	Kansas	$46,421	$22
   9	Maryland	$45,225	$22
   10	Arizona	$44,962	$22
   11	Indiana	$44,717	$22
   12	Mississippi	$44,265	$21
   13	Minnesota	$44,148	$21
   14	Colorado	$43,391	$21
   15	Ohio	$42,857	$21
   16	Florida	$42,660	$21
   17	Oregon	$40,520	$19
   18	Georgia	$40,066	$19
   19	Illinois	$39,870	$19
   20	Missouri	$39,366	$19

   Average fleet manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	VIA Motors	$99,019	$47.61
   2	REV Group	$96,297	$46.30	2
   3	Merchants Fleet	$96,241	$46.27
   4	Tesla	$93,428	$44.92
   5	Southern California Edison	$90,463	$43.49
   6	UGI	$79,627	$38.28
   7	General Electric	$74,217	$35.68
   8	Xerox	$70,866	$34.07
   9	Lucid Motors	$69,071	$33.21	5
   10	Parsons	$68,865	$33.11	7
   11	Rosendin Electric	$66,674	$32.05
   12	Caterpillar Financial	$62,224	$29.92
   13	PPL	$60,191	$28.94
   14	PGT Trucking	$57,409	$27.60	6
   15	Cruise Automation	$56,330	$27.08
   16	Cowan Systems	$55,520	$26.69
   17	Hogan Transportation Companies	$55,393	$26.63	4
   18	Kennesaw Transportation	$55,362	$26.62
   19	Kiewit	$54,784	$26.34	2
   20	Edison International	$54,773	$26.33

4. Writing a fleet manager job description

   A fleet manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a fleet manager job description:

   Fleet manager job description example

   THE COMPANY: Since 1980, Stevens Transport has remained the primary choice of the Fortune 500 for delivery of perishable items and is the largest family-owned and operated climate controlled freight company in Texas. Family is a top priority at Stevens and those values are integrated into everything we do, every day. Our award-winning service and reputation paired with state-of-the-art equipment has made us the pioneer of the industry.
   
   Stevens Transport Corporate offices as well as it's many departments and family of companies, reside on a massive 75-acre campus just East of Dallas. As a debt free, multimodal logistics conglomerate, Stevens Transport injects unmatched integrity into a corporate business model that reflects a track record of consistent growth and success. As “America's Trucking Family” and one of the nation's premier employers, we understand that our biggest “assets” are our people that support the continuous growth.
   
   If you are looking to continue with a rewarding career in Transportation & Logistics, come join the over 750 corporate family members with an exciting opportunity waiting for you!!
   
   THE ROLE: We are seeking to hire a Fleet Manager who will be responsible for managing and supervising all inbound and outbound events for an assigned fleet of non-union, long-haul drivers to guarantee a safe, on-time delivery. Our customers require individuals who think on a detailed but big picture scale and who are capable of making decisions “on the fly.” You are skilled at providing support while challenging and motivating drivers to always meet personal and professional benchmarks.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:Ability to perform in an environment with rapidly changing priorities and competing deadlines Strong leadership skills and ability to take initiative. Capability of thriving as a team player but also driven by autonomy Keen analytical skills and attention to detail Ability to handle high volumes of inbound email, phone calls and Qualcomm satellite communications
   
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Driving a high level of engagement with your fleet - committing to the career success and personal growth of your drivers through positive working relationships Reviewing scheduled pick-up and delivery appointments daily so that plenty of HOS (hours of service) are available to complete the trip on time Confirming that each driver is fully informed of all customer and company expectations when freight assignment is received Routing drivers for scheduled home time and helping them to secure equipment at authorized locations along the way Pushing drivers to hit KPIs such as utilization and optimization Counseling drivers who violate safety standards or are out of compliance with DOT, and arrange for specific re-training to help them regain good standing Communicating service disruptions to internal associates so that deliveries are still made in time
   
   REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Strong computer skills in a Windows environment, including Outlook, Excel, and WordHighly organized and communicative - strong oral, written and interpersonal skills and must be able to interact effectively at all levels, both internally and externally Proven track record of making rational decisions in both routine and emergency situations Able to handle high volumes of inbound email
   
   HIGHLY BENEFICIAL QUALIFICATIONS:Transportation/Logistics experience Some knowledge of time/distance geography
   
   Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental, and Life Insurances available + 401(k) retirement plan and quarterly match.
   #LI-MA2

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right fleet manager 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 fleet manager job on Zippia to find and recruit fleet manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with fleet manager 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 fleet manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the fleet manager 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new fleet manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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How much does it cost to hire a fleet manager?