How to hire a semi truck driver

How to hire a semi truck driver, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the semi truck driver you need to hire. Certain semi truck driver roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 semi 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 semi truck driver salaries for various roles:

   Type of Semi Truck Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Semi 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	$18-41
   Driver/Mover	A driver/mover is responsible for preparing and arranging items for delivery from the distribution center to assigned destinations. Driver/movers assist with loading and unloading merchandise using various warehouse tools and equipment... Show more	$11-21
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • DOT
   • Log Book
   • Asphalt
   • OTR
   • Food Products
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Hazmat
   • Tractor-Trailer Combination
   • Safety Procedures
   • Federal Regulations
   • Safety Regulations
   • Pre-Trip Inspections
   • Unload Trucks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Complete training to obtain CDL 'S
   • Handle multiple projects simultaneously under OSHA and Hazmat.
   • 45810419-759-2020Haul oversized loads, equipment hauling, OTR work.
   • Deliver aggregate and asphalt product to various job sites throughout Arizona.
   • Experience in handling of high value and HazMat materials, including securement and placarding.
   • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.

   More semi truck driver duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the semi truck driver job description is a good way to get more applicants. A semi truck driver salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a semi truck driver in Georgia may be lower than in North Dakota, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level semi truck driver. Additionally, a semi truck driver with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average semi truck driver salary

   $57,712yearly

   $27.75 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level semi truck driver salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average semi truck driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$78,396	$38
   2	Illinois	$73,320	$35
   3	Connecticut	$68,091	$33
   4	New York	$67,214	$32
   5	Maryland	$66,612	$32
   6	Nevada	$66,447	$32
   7	Pennsylvania	$62,903	$30
   8	New Jersey	$62,541	$30
   9	Utah	$61,144	$29
   10	Ohio	$61,130	$29
   11	Wisconsin	$60,986	$29
   12	Missouri	$60,848	$29
   13	Texas	$60,534	$29
   14	Michigan	$60,393	$29
   15	California	$59,240	$28
   16	Kansas	$56,951	$27
   17	Arizona	$56,005	$27
   18	New Hampshire	$55,921	$27
   19	Indiana	$52,770	$25

   Average semi truck driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Mid-South Management	$78,878	$37.92
   2	Marvin and	$64,015	$30.78	3
   3	Knight Transportation	$59,376	$28.55	1,297
   4	Great Lakes Wine and Spirits	$55,217	$26.55
   5	A & M	$55,009	$26.45
   6	Career Company in Silicon Valley	$53,604	$25.77
   7	BlastOne	$53,410	$25.68
   8	Croell Ready Mix	$53,352	$25.65
   9	The Davey Tree Expert Company	$53,287	$25.62	9
   10	Ruan	$52,451	$25.22
   11	NEXTAFF	$51,472	$24.75
   12	The Walt Disney Company	$47,238	$22.71
   13	Indiana State Police	$33,933	$16.31

4. Writing a semi truck driver job description

   A semi 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 semi truck driver job description:

   Semi truck driver job description example

   Metalcraft of Mayville
   
   Metalcraft of Mayville is an Equal Opportunity Employer:Minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity
   
   Semi Truck Driver
   
   US-WI-Fall River
   
   Type: Regular Full-Time
   # of Openings: 1
   Category: Manufacturing
   Metalcraft of Mayville Inc. (Fall River)
   
   Overview
   
   

   1st Shift Semi Driver - Fall River, WI

   Under the direction of Shipping/Receiving Supervisor, the Semi Driver position transports finished goods and raw materials to and from retail and distribution centers and between the Metalcraft facilities located in southeast Wisconsin.

   The Semi Driver position inspects vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues, along with performing preventative maintenance.

   
   
   Responsibilities
   
   

   This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

   • Manage routes and routines to proceed in the most efficient way possible and to meet delivery schedules
   • Find ways to conserve resources, including fuel, to benefit the business
   • Serve as a brand advocate and ambassador in every interaction with clients and the public
   • Conduct daily inspections of the vehicle at the end of the shift and report any problems or damage to management
   • Comply with all DOT and in-house regulations and rules
   • Comply with truck driving rules and regulations (size, weight, route designations, parking and break periods) as well as with company policies and procedures
   • Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions
   • Collect and verify delivery instructions
   • Report defects, accidents or violations
   • Observe and report equipment or mechanical failures immediately

   
   
   Qualifications
   
   

   • Proven work experience as a truck driver
   • Hands on experience with electronic equipment and software (GPS, AVL units, CB etc)
   • Ability to drive long hours and travel regularly
   • Extensive knowledge of applicable truck driving rules and regulations
   • No recent moving or driving violations
   • Adaptability and foresight to handle unexpected situations (traffic, weather conditions etc)
   • Willing to submit to background/drug checks and provide employment recommendations
   • Trucking school diploma
   • Valid truck driving license
   • Class A driver's license in good standing
   • No serious tickets or accidents in last 5 years
   • No DWI/DUI in last 5 years
   • 2+ years' commercial driving experience required

   Metalcraft of Mayville is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

   Minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity

   PM17

   
   
   

   PI192841066

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting semi 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 semi truck driver

   Once you've decided on a perfect semi 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new semi truck driver. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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