Post job

How to hire a fuel truck driver

Fuel truck driver hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring fuel truck drivers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a fuel truck driver is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per fuel truck driver on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 546,472 fuel truck drivers in the US and 876,579 job openings.
  • Roosevelt, UT, has the highest demand for fuel truck drivers, with 6 job openings.
  • Houston, TX has the highest concentration of fuel truck drivers.

How to hire a fuel truck driver, step by step

To hire a fuel truck driver, 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 fuel truck driver, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step fuel truck 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 fuel truck driver job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fuel truck driver
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
jobs
Post a fuel truck driver job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The fuel truck 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?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a fuel truck 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 fuel truck driver that fits the bill.

    This list presents fuel truck driver salaries for various positions.

    Type of Fuel Truck DriverDescriptionHourly rate
    Fuel Truck 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$18-39
    CDL DriverA CDL driver is responsible for the transportation of goods from the manufacturing warehouse to specific store locations. CDL drivers' duties include inspecting the items before and after the delivery to ensure that the orders are correct with the right quantity, providing proof of delivery from the receiving customers, following the delivery schedule and report any delays immediately, monitoring the vehicle's engine for efficiency, and escalating concerns of incorrect deliveries and defective items... Show more$19-46
    Van DriverA van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road... Show more$11-25
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • Hazmat
    • DOT
    • Math
    • Basic Math
    • Safety Rules
    • Hazardous Materials
    • Tank Trucks
    • Petroleum Products
    • Customer Locations
    • Traffic Laws
    • Diesel Fuel
    • Dangerous Goods
    • Safety Procedures
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Load truck with various types of fuelDrive CDL truck to deliver fuelPrep and deliver tanks to customers
    • Deliver fuel to businesses as requested while following hazmat and tanker protocol as outlined by the D.O.T.
    • Train in backing, docking and parallel parking of tractor-trailers ensure that trailers are properly placard for hazmat load on trailer.
    • Participate in safety briefings and follow all safety protocol including wearing appropriate PPE.
    • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
    • Deliver groceries and perishables items in safe and timely manner.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, fuel truck drivers' average salary in florida is 37% less than in north dakota.
    • Seniority. Entry-level fuel truck drivers 54% less than senior-level fuel truck drivers.
    • Certifications. A fuel truck driver 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 fuel truck driver's salary.

    Average fuel truck driver salary

    $56,767yearly

    $27.29 hourly rate

    Entry-level fuel truck driver salary
    $38,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025
  4. Writing a fuel truck driver job description

    A fuel truck driver 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 fuel truck driver job description:

    Fuel truck driver job description example

    • At least 1 year of experience in a similar role: oilier/lube technician experience, with knowledge of heavy equipment.

    • Must have experience in heavy equipment maintenance including diesel mechanics, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and general repair of heavy equipment.

    • Previous experience in the following: servicing knowledge of various types of heavy construction equipment; checking and maintaining proper fluid levels for various compartments including engine, hydraulics, transmission etc.; proper handling of successfully collecting fluid samples for analysis and accurate record keeping of all daily tasks via computer and paper transactions.

    STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE
    The job performance of the Fuel Lube Truck Driver will be determined by the following measurements:

    • Planning and Time Utilization - Meet scheduled deadlines for achievement of Company goals and objectives as pertains to assigned tasks. Show ability to consistently recognize and deal with priorities.

    • Initiative - Institute problem-solving actions as soon as it becomes evident that problems exist. Be willing to assume necessary responsibility and challenges.

    • Attendance and Reliability - Take responsibility for punctuality. Do not abuse or take advantage of personal time off. Complete all works schedules on time and assure quality.

    • Maintain an organized and efficient work environment. Serve as a role model for other personnel through commitment and enthusiasm as a team member.

    Physical demands: while performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
    The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds repeatedly and frequently lift or move up to 100 pounds.

    P.E.R. (Physical Exertion Requirements) 20 CFR 416.967:

    Sedentary work: 10 lbs. +

    Light work: 20 lbs. +
    Medium work: 50 lbs. +
    Heavy work: 100 lbs. +
    Very Heavy work: Repeatedly lifting and carrying more than 100 lbs. at a time.
    Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

    Work environment: while performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and may be subject to adverse conditions such as high humidity, high temperatures, high wind, extreme cold, rain, sleet, and snow. The outside work environment will vary throughout the workday including changes in terrain, traffic, urban settings and/or rural settings. The employee is occasionally exposed to natural gas and to the risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

    Company DescriptionNewman Construction has been in business for over 90 years. It all began in 1932 with William Paul Newman and his one-ton truck. He hauled coal and soil from Price Utah that they loaded manually. Throughout the 1950s Newman Construction installed the first sewer systems in small towns throughout the Salt Lake Valley and Wyoming. Newman Construction has been the first to use many different machines in Utah, truly leading the way in this business. In the 60s Jeff Newman took over for his father in running the company, followed by his son Mark Newman who runs the company today in a continuous growth climb.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find fuel truck 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 fuel truck driver job on Zippia to find and recruit fuel truck driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting fuel truck drivers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    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 fuel truck driver

    Once you've selected the best fuel truck driver 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 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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a fuel truck driver?

Before you start to hire fuel truck drivers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire fuel truck drivers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $56,767 per year for a fuel truck driver, 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 fuel truck drivers in the US typically range between $18 and $39 an hour.

Find better fuel truck drivers in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring fuel truck drivers FAQs

Search for fuel truck driver jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse transportation jobs