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What is a tank driver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
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A tank driver is a military crew member who operates and drives tanks. They receive training to maneuver the tank through rough terrain and battlefields. Tank drivers work with the crew and follow orders from the tank commander. They also work to quickly assess situations and react accordingly. In addition to driving, tank drivers maintain and repair vehicles. They play a crucial role in armored warfare, providing support to infantry troops and engaging enemy targets.

ScoreTank DriverUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,471

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.3

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%

Asian 3.84%

Black or African American 12.69%

Hispanic or Latino 20.14%

Unknown 4.79%

White 57.72%

Gender

female 4.99%

male 95.01%

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 a Tank Driver?

Pros

  • High level of responsibility

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Opportunities for advancement within the military

  • Ability to travel to different locations

  • Access to healthcare and other military benefits

Cons

  • Long periods away from home and loved ones

  • Exposure to extreme weather conditions

  • Possibility of developing mental health issues such as PTSD

  • Limited job opportunities outside of the military

  • Potential for being deployed to dangerous or hostile areas

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Tank Driver career paths

Key steps to become a tank driver

  1. Explore tank driver education requirements

    Most common tank driver degrees

    High School Diploma

    40.6 %

    Associate

    15.9 %

    Diploma

    14.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific tank driver skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CDL44.50%
    Hazmat19.04%
    Post-Trip Inspections5.70%
    OTR5.32%
    Customer Locations3.80%
  3. Complete relevant tank driver training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New tank drivers 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 a tank driver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tank driver resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed tank driver usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed tank driver in most of states. 13 states require tank drivers to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense Url
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredState exam requiredCommercial Driver (Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver)
    California-State exam requiredCommercial Driver License
    Idaho-State exam requiredCommercial Drivers
    Massachusetts-State exam requiredCOMMERCIAL DRIVERS
    Missouri-State exam requiredTruck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
  5. Gain additional tank driver certifications

    Tank 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 tank driver certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for tank drivers include Commercial Driver License (CDL) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

    More About Certifications
  6. Research tank driver duties and responsibilities

    • Deliver a variety of commodities to surrounding mines OTR and locally.
    • Employ industry standard HAZMAT procedures.
    • Deliver chemicals to various locations in town and OTR.
    • Deliver liquid propane to commercial and residential accounts/perform safety checks/operate forklifts/follow D.O.T.
  7. Prepare your tank driver resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tank 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 a tank 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 Tank Driver Resume templates

    Build a professional Tank 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 Tank Driver resume.
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    Tank Driver Resume
  8. Apply for tank driver jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a tank driver job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Tank Driver Job

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Average tank driver salary

The average Tank Driver salary in the United States is $51,471 per year or $25 per hour. Tank driver salaries range between $35,000 and $75,000 per year.

Average Tank Driver Salary
$51,471 Yearly
$24.75 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do tank drivers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

Tank Driver reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

Seeing different areas and being left alone. Meeting new people along the way.

Cons

Rough roads people that are texting while I'm driving down the road. At least 5 out of 10 drivers are texting.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Cons

Cinema

Pros

Experience 8 year GCC county almost work driving responsibility passenger drop location and food delivery timing driving delivery I am work hope


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021
Pros

I always want to be a good behaviour and transparency

Cons

I don't like laziness or bad behaviour or any controversy


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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