Is an owner-operator a truck driver?

Yes, an owner-operator is a truck driver. Owner-operator simply means a truck driver who owns his truck. By owning your vehicle, you get all profit from deliveries, but you are also responsible for all of the costs associated with having a truck.

Is it worth being an owner-operator truck driver?

Yes, it is worth being an owner-operator truck driver. An owner-operator truck driver stands to earn the most money compared to all types of truck drivers. Although you must also handle all the responsibility of owning your truck, you get the freedom to make your hours, and everything you earn is your own to keep.

What does operator driver mean?

An operator driver means someone who is a self-employed commercial truck driver who operates trucks to transport goods for their customers. Owner-operator drivers work in many different industries and trades.

How To Become An Operator And Truck Driver: What It Is and Career Path

What is an operator and truck driver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

An operator and truck driver operates heavy-duty trucks to transport goods from one location to another. They are responsible for driving trucks that weigh up to 80,000 pounds, following safety regulations, and delivering on time. They must have a commercial driver's license and be skilled in navigating through different weather conditions and terrains. Additionally, they may be required to load and unload cargo, maintain their vehicle, and keep accurate records of their trips.

ScoreOperator And Truck DriverUS Average

Salary

10.0

Avg. Salary $250,847

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.3

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.84%

Asian 3.94%

Black or African American 11.89%

Hispanic or Latino 18.72%

Unknown 4.84%

White 59.76%

Gender

female 5.35%

male 94.65%

Age - 49

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49

Stress level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

1.4

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an operator and truck driver?

Pros

Good pay and benefits
In-demand job with good job security
Access to modern technology and equipment
Can be a good fit for those who enjoy driving and being on the road
Potential for bonuses and incentives

Cons

Risk of accidents or injury on the job
Physical demands of the job, including sitting for long periods and heavy lifting
Isolation and loneliness while on the road for extended periods
High levels of competition in certain markets can make finding consistent work difficult
Can be mentally taxing due to the high levels of concentration required while driving

Key steps to become an operator and truck driver

Explore operator and truck driver education requirements

Most common operator and truck driver degrees

High School Diploma

50.8 %

Associate

16.2 %

Diploma

12.2 %

Start to develop specific operator and truck driver skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	49.27%
OTR	14.72%
DOT	12.33%
Hazmat	10.76%
Customer Service	7.78%

Complete relevant operator and truck driver training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New operators and truck driver learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an operator and truck driver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operator and truck driver resumes.

Gain additional operator and truck driver certifications

Operator and truck driver certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific operator and truck driver certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for operators and truck driver include Commercial Driver License (CDL) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

More About Certifications

Research operator and truck driver duties and responsibilities

Operate farm equipment completing tasks such as tilling, planting, mowing, and fertilizing.
Transport domestic, ocean, air-freight and various types of hazardous materials for Midwest LTL and OTR carrier.
Perform all duties according to FMCSA.
Drive a non CDL truck to deliver slabs to fabricators.

Prepare your operator and truck driver resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your operator and truck driver resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an operator and truck driver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable operator and truck driver resume templates

Build a professional operator and truck driver resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your operator and truck driver resume.