How to hire a local truck driver

How to hire a local truck driver, step by step

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

What does a local truck driver do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your local truck driver job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a local truck driver for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A local truck driver's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, local truck 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.

   This list presents local truck driver salaries for various positions.

   Type of Local Truck Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Local Truck 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	$19-41
   Mixer Driver	A mixer driver is responsible for operating mixer trucks to deliver construction materials and concrete mixtures to construction and industrial site. Mixer drivers must inspect the condition of the truck's engine before and after operations to ensure its stability and performance that would prevent operational delays and avoid potential hazards... Show more	$17-34
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Customer Service
   • OTR
   • Hazmat
   • PET
   • Pallet Jack
   • Local Truck
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Landing Gear
   • DOT Regulations
   • Federal Regulations
   • Safety Regulations
   • Distribution Centers
   • Straight Truck

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train driver in safety regulations and teach HAZMAT classes.
   • Stay compliant with FMCSA, TSA and FAA
   • Work local and OTR deliveries.
   • cross dock worker local ltl driver
   • Navigate route using maps and GPS.
   • Obtain CDL and deliver products to local stores

   More local truck driver duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, local truck drivers' average salary in utah is 21% less than in delaware.
   • Seniority. Entry-level local truck drivers 53% less than senior-level local truck drivers.
   • Certifications. A local 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 local truck driver's salary.

   Average local truck driver salary

   $59,069yearly

   $28.40 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level local truck driver salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

   Average local truck driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Delaware	$70,615	$34
   2	New Jersey	$68,905	$33
   3	New York	$68,232	$33
   4	Pennsylvania	$66,154	$32
   5	Maryland	$63,887	$31
   6	Massachusetts	$63,835	$31
   7	Illinois	$63,779	$31
   8	Minnesota	$63,020	$30
   9	Washington	$62,843	$30
   10	Wisconsin	$62,801	$30
   11	Kansas	$62,514	$30
   12	Georgia	$61,681	$30
   13	Ohio	$61,666	$30
   14	Michigan	$61,392	$30
   15	Oregon	$60,879	$29
   16	Indiana	$60,799	$29
   17	Tennessee	$60,592	$29
   18	Texas	$60,481	$29
   19	California	$60,409	$29
   20	Maine	$60,391	$29

   Average local truck driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Walmart	$87,444	$42.04	54
   2	Air Products	$84,697	$40.72
   3	Mid-South Management	$82,791	$39.80
   4	Univar	$81,784	$39.32
   5	Lhoist	$76,456	$36.76	5
   6	Tyson Foods	$74,731	$35.93	2
   7	Schneider National	$69,958	$33.63	2
   8	Celadon Group	$69,421	$33.38	7
   9	Averitt Express	$69,059	$33.20
   10	Parr Lumber	$68,732	$33.04	1
   11	Hub Group	$68,146	$32.76	185
   12	McLane	$68,085	$32.73	135
   13	The Trans Group LLC	$66,397	$31.92	108
   14	Carvana	$66,314	$31.88	106
   15	Ryder System	$65,484	$31.48	602
   16	Airgas	$64,008	$30.77
   17	J.B. Hunt Transport Services	$63,318	$30.44	209
   18	Exel Inc.	$62,972	$30.27	1
   19	Watsontown Trucking	$62,939	$30.26
   20	Koch Trucking	$62,544	$30.07	5

4. Writing a local truck driver job description

   A local 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. Below, you can find an example of a local truck driver job description:

   Local truck driver job description example

   Seeking CDL-A Drivers | Earn $1,500/week! | Get Home Daily!.

   The Way Ahead starts with you.

   We know trucking is a tough job. At Hub Group, we want to give drivers the opportunity and resources to succeed on the road. Our goal is to provide more balance in your life — that’s why our wages for company drivers are among the most competitive in the industry, ­allowing you to work a full day and still get home to your family.

   
   

   What’s in It For You?

   What good is a job without great benefits to reward your hard work? We’ve got rewarding benefits tailored to your needs.

   
   

   • Earn a minimum of $1,430 Weekly/$75k Annually
   • Guaranteed minimum of 46.5 hours per week
   • New Equipment; average age of fleet is 2 years
   • Guaranteed Pay Program to provide new drivers with a minimum pay guarantee the first 6 weeks until you get up to speed
   • Paid time off including vacation pay and holiday pay
   • Paid orientation and training
   • Medical, dental, & vision insurance after 30 days
   • Critical illness plan with lump sum cash benefits for employee and family
   • 401k retirement plan with annual match
   • And much more!

   
   

   Drivers must have a minimum of one-year professional driving experience and a valid Class B CDL license.

   
   

   "There is nothing I value more than the balance between work and life . Hub Group has given me that and more and I couldn’t thank them enough!” - Sam Miller, Hub Group Company Driver

   
   

   Who we are

   For over fifty years, we’ve been providing the best of the best for our customers and paving the way in the industry. We are defined by our core values: Service, integrity, and innovation. Our pride is in our services as well as our valued employees, and we want you to come aboard and be part of what makes us an elite trucking team.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find local truck drivers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any local truck drivers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level local truck drivers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your local truck driver job on Zippia to find and recruit local truck 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 local truck 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 local truck driver

   Once you've decided on a perfect local truck driver candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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 local truck 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 local truck driver?