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How to hire a Freight Trucker

Freight trucker hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring freight truckers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a freight trucker is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new freight trucker to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a freight trucker, step by step

To hire a freight trucker, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a freight trucker, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step freight trucker hiring guide:

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

    The freight trucker 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?

    Hiring the perfect freight trucker also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list presents freight trucker salaries for various positions.

    Type Of Freight TruckerDescriptionHourly Rate
    Freight Trucker$11-51
    Helper/DriverA Helper/Driver's responsibilities will depend on the company or industry involved. It mainly revolves around delivering a wide variety of supplies at a particular place within an allotted schedule and distributing them according to the instructions given... Show More$11-51
    Freight Elevator OperatorFreight elevators are designed to move goods and materials to and from different floors within a building. The job of a freight elevator operator is to move control levers or push buttons to control the elevator movement between floors... Show More$11-51
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common Skills:
    • CDL
    • DOT
    • Truck Freight
    • Customer Service
    • Sales Floor
    • Mile Radius
    • Unload Freight
    • Safety Regulations
    Responsibilities:
    • Utilize DIAD equipment to verify package recipient and obtain recipient signature if necessary.
    • Utilize DIAD equipment to verify package recipient and obtain recipient signature if necessary.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your freight trucker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A freight trucker can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, freight truckers' average salary in wyoming is 47% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level freight truckers 78% less than senior-level freight truckers.
    • Certifications. A freight trucker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a freight trucker's salary.

    Average freight trucker salary

    $51,559yearly

    $24.79 hourly rate

    Entry-level freight trucker salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated February 16, 2025
  4. Writing a Freight Trucker Job Description

    A freight trucker 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a freight trucker job description:

    Freight Trucker job description example

    Best known for Little Debbie snack cakes, America's leading snack cake brand, Sunbelt Bakery Granola products, and Drake's Cakes , McKee Foods Corporation is seeking a Freight Truck Spotter w/ CDL to join our organization. This is an exciting opportunity to work for a company that is committed to providing consumers with quality products at an excellent value. McKee Foods Corporation, a privately-held, family-owned bakery, has been in business since 1934. We have a long history of innovation and treating employees with respect, and a deeply held belief in the importance of doing business with integrity.
    Schedule

    2nd Shift
    Sunday - Thursday, 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. other days and hours as needed

    Job Summary

    The Freight Truck Spotter w/CDL keeps empty trailers backed into the Shipping docks and loaded trailers pulled away from the docks.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
    Operate Spotter Tractor to shuttle trailers (loaded and empty) between all Collegedale locations Operate Spotter Tractor to spot trailers to docks as needed Operate the Auto Trailer and Auto DockCheck loads for weight distribution and transportability Install protective devices such as braces/strapping to prevent load shifting during transport Hand stack cases, reorganize load as needed for safety of load and product Maintain a clean and orderly work environment, keep waste to a minimum Keep trailer yard neat and organized Operate forklift to load/unload materials onto or from trailers, racks, pallets, conveyors, float boards Performs and documents routine safety inspections and general maintenance on Spotter Tractor such as, cleaning, fueling, tire condition and pressure, checking fluid levels, lights, general tractor and trailer functionally, turning in repair work orders, etc.Perform other duties and tasks as needed

    Required Qualifications
    LTO license or must be able to obtain and maintain a McKee Foods LTO license Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Willingness and proven ability to be flexible and perform various tasks and functions as needed Self-motivated with a high degree of initiative and ability to work without direct supervision, independently and as a team Basic math skills Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate (both written and oral), work with management, co-workers and other departments and customers Demonstrated attention to detail, with a high level of accuracy Must be able to repeatedly lift and/or move 50 lbs.Demonstrated ability to determine cause and effect; good trouble shooting skills Good work, safety, and attendance records; knowledge of and adherence to company policies, personal safety, food safety, product purity, and departmental procedures Willingness and ability to accept and implement change and train others Willingness and ability to work additional hours and days as needed Must be willing and able to work outdoors and inside buildings throughout the year, in all temperature ranges and all weather conditions

    Preferred Qualifications
    Knowledge of McKee Foods and OSHA safety regulations Previous McKee Foods spotter driving experience Previous LTO driving experience Previous warehouse, shipping, and/or receiving experience Knowledge of Warehouse Management System Inventory software Knowledge of Dock Management System

    Benefits
    Competitive pay scale 401(k) with matching contributions Health insurance, including prescription drug plan Dental insurance Vision care plan Life insurance Paid time off (for vacation, holidays, sick time, personal time, etc.) Direct deposit payroll Credit UnionShift differential pay Exercise and recreation facility Profit-sharing program Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance (Premiums Paid by the Company)

    Please upload your current resume to be fully considered for this position.

    **EOE, including disability/veterans**
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find freight truckers 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 freight trucker job on Zippia to find and recruit freight trucker 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 freight truckers, 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.

    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 freight trucker

    Once you've selected the best freight trucker candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been 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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How much does it cost to hire a freight trucker?

Recruiting freight truckers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $51,559 per year for a freight trucker, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for freight truckers in the US typically range between $11 and $51 an hour.

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