How to hire an oil truck driver

How to hire an oil truck driver, step by step

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

What does an oil truck driver do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an oil truck driver, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect oil truck driver 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.

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

   Type of Oil Truck Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Oil 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	$13-37
   CDL Driver	A 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 Driver	A 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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • DOT
   • Safety Regulations
   • Hazmat
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Safety Procedures
   • Federal Motor
   • Eagle
   • TWIC
   • Safety Policies
   • Salt Water
   • Propane
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Oil Tanks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use of PPE require at all times.
   • Work oil & load oilCheck station levels & unload.Mask up with pure air on H2S batteries
   • Follow all hazmat regulations and precautions to prevent any dangerous situations.
   • Used QUALCOMM system for communications and perform self-routing in order to make on time deliveries.
   • Work closely with dispatch using the QUALCOMM to access and deliver messages about loads to dispatchers and customers.
   • Maintain open communication via CB radio for additional instructions.

   More oil truck driver duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your oil truck driver job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An oil truck driver salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, oil truck drivers' average salary in maine is 49% less than in arizona.
   • Seniority. Entry-level oil truck drivers earn 63% less than senior-level oil truck drivers.
   • Certifications. An oil truck driver 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 an oil truck driver's salary.

   Average oil truck driver salary

   $48,469yearly

   $23.30 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level oil truck driver salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average oil truck driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$56,977	$27
   2	California	$55,692	$27
   3	Montana	$52,607	$25
   4	Oklahoma	$46,210	$22
   5	Maryland	$46,184	$22
   6	Illinois	$44,262	$21
   7	Texas	$44,252	$21
   8	New Mexico	$43,384	$21

   Average oil truck driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Sentinel Transportation	$57,637	$27.71	3
   2	MBI Energy Services	$55,156	$26.52
   3	The Walt Disney Company	$49,601	$23.85
   4	Trimac Transportation Ltd.	$48,750	$23.44	26
   5	Manatt's	$46,363	$22.29
   6	Plains All American Pipeline	$45,274	$21.77	1
   7	Delek US Holdings	$42,879	$20.61	11

4. Writing an oil truck driver job description

   An oil 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 an oil truck driver job description:

   Oil truck driver job description example

   *Benefits and Compensation*
   
   · Company Driver - Daily Home Time
   
   · Paid Vacations, Holidays, Personal Time, etc.
   
   · Group Health Insurance Benefits after 30 days
   
   · 401(K) with a generous company match
   
   · Referral bonus program for existing drivers
   
   · Company Paid Life Insurance and Short-Term, Long Term Disability
   * *Very competitive compensation package*
   
   *Job Description*
   
   *Key Tasks and Responsibilities: *
   
   · Conforms to the company attendance policies.
   
   · Wears Company supplied uniforms and required safety equipment.
   
   · Maintains a neat, clean appearance during work times.
   
   · Loads, transports and unloads used oil and other liquid waste streams from pick up point to the destination as directed by supervisor/dispatcher.
   
   · Completes all paperwork according to company policies including but not limited to: daily vehicle inspections and maintenance, manifests, driver logs (if applicable).
   
   · Meets scheduled collection times notifies dispatch promptly if delayed for any reason.
   
   · Consistently meets company production standards based on gallons/volume, location, vehicle, and other criteria as specified by the facility regional manager and assigned budget.
   
   · Uses proper equipment and follows established operating procedures to safely and efficiently perform all duties needed to effectively service the customer.
   
   · Complies with all rules, regulations, and laws of the State, Federal, and other regulatory agencies pertaining to motor vehicle operation and used oil handling.
   
   · Follows all procedures as outlined in the Universal Environmental Services Driver's manual covering pickup procedures, pumping procedures, pumping on/off tanker trailers, drum handling procedures, used oil, and other general operating practices, emergency response plans, and safety procedures.
   
   · Reports all accidents, spills, and injuries according to the UES Emergency Response Procedures.
   
   · Provide outstanding customer service and satisfaction.
   
   · Establish and maintain effective work relationships with employees and customers.
   
   · Consistently evaluate work and determine if further steps are needed to meet or exceed customer expectations.
   
   JOB REQUIREMENTS
   
   *Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: *
   
   · 2 years of verifiable driving experience
   
   -Must have license and experience with a manual shift transmission
   
   · Able to read written instruction, complete required paperwork, and perform basic math calculations.
   
   · Must be familiar with all company policies and procedures regarding safety and operations.
   
   · Must have a working knowledge of all applicable rules, regulations, and laws of the State, Federal, pertaining to the collection/transportation of used oil.
   
   · Good planning and organizational skills.
   
   · Good verbal communication skills.
   
   · Able to work under pressure.
   
   · Ability to travel to other locations, overnight stays may be required.
   
   *Qualifications: *
   
   · High School Diploma or GED.
   
   · Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Class A/B with hazmat/tanker endorsements.
   
   · Valid DOT Medical Certificate.
   
   *Physical Demands/Working Conditions: *
   
   · Physical activity includes bending, reaching, stretching, climbing in/out of tractors, and on top of tanks, pulling hoses weighing up to 75 lbs, and moving drums weighing up to 400 lbs with proper equipment.
   
   *Supervisory Responsibility: None*
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Benefits:
   * 401(k)
   * 401(k) matching
   * Dental insurance
   * Disability insurance
   * Health insurance
   * Life insurance
   * Paid time off
   * Paid training
   * Referral program
   * Safety equipment provided
   * Tuition reimbursement
   * Vision insurance
   Trucking home time:
   * Home daily
   Trucking route:
   * Local
   
   COVID-19 considerations:
   Drivers are equipped with the necessary PPE
   
   Experience:
   * Commercial driving: 1 year (Required)
   
   License/Certification:
   * CDL Class A or B (Required)
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right oil truck driver for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with oil truck drivers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit oil truck drivers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your oil truck driver job on Zippia to find and recruit oil truck driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting oil 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 oil truck driver

   Once you have selected a candidate for the oil truck 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with 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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