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How to hire a tank truck driver

Tank truck driver hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring tank truck drivers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a tank truck driver is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per tank truck driver on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 552,336 tank truck drivers in the US and 699,172 job openings.
  • Indianapolis, IN, has the highest demand for tank truck drivers, with 12 job openings.
  • Houston, TX has the highest concentration of tank truck drivers.

How to hire a tank truck driver, step by step

To hire a tank truck driver, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a tank truck driver:

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

What does a tank truck driver do?

A tank truck driver is responsible for delivering a large volume of products to the customers or warehouse centers, such as gasoline, oil, and other related chemicals. Tank truck drivers ensure the regular maintenance of the truck's engine, immediately repairing inconsistencies and glitches to avoid potential hazards and delays in deliveries. They should also abide by road regulations at all times, requiring them to have a clean driving record to handle their duties under strict conditions and deadlines.

Learn more about the specifics of what a tank truck driver does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The tank truck driver hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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

    Type of Tank Truck DriverDescriptionHourly rate
    Tank Truck DriverHeavy 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
    CDL DriverA 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
    DriverDrivers are responsible for safely transporting people, packages, or goods from one destination to another. They should be familiar with the different routes that may be taken to reach the desired goal... Show more$10-25
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • Tractor Trailer
    • OTR
    • Hazmat
    • Tanker Truck
    • TWIC
    • GPS
    • Post-Trip Inspections
    • DOT Regulations
    • Submit Reports
    • Commercial Vehicles
    • PPE
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Commodities
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Learn and adhere to OSHA and MSHA regulations.
    • Maintain logs and equipment according to dot regulations.
    • Transport hazardous materials (OTR) over the road.
    • Deliver liquid product to customers OTR, regionally and locally.
    • Report all unsafe conditions to driver management and employ industry standard HAZMAT procedures.
    • Operate other equipment including backhoes, tractors, loaders, and street sweepers.
    More tank truck driver duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the tank truck driver job description is a good way to get more applicants. A tank 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 tank truck driver in Oregon may be lower than in Wyoming, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level tank truck driver. Additionally, a tank truck driver with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average tank truck driver salary

    $59,007yearly

    $28.37 hourly rate

    Entry-level tank truck driver salary
    $40,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 30, 2025

    Average tank truck driver salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$73,674$35
    2North Dakota$71,139$34
    3Arizona$67,542$32
    4Connecticut$67,157$32
    5Maryland$65,505$31
    6Pennsylvania$65,194$31
    7Wisconsin$64,603$31
    8New York$64,453$31
    9Colorado$64,000$31
    10Illinois$63,292$30
    11Michigan$62,143$30
    12Ohio$62,064$30
    13Kentucky$62,027$30
    14South Carolina$62,025$30
    15Georgia$61,934$30
    16Tennessee$60,905$29
    17Washington$60,866$29
    18Texas$60,839$29
    19Indiana$60,836$29
    20Virginia$60,684$29

    Average tank truck driver salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Air Products$85,824$41.26
    2Kemira Chemicals$80,946$38.921
    3Schneider National$70,323$33.812
    4Airgas$66,133$31.79
    5Thorntons$65,281$31.39
    6Jm$62,869$30.231
    7Sherwin-Williams$62,760$30.1715
    8Cardinal Logistics Management$61,039$29.351
    9Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores$59,878$28.7968
    10Superior Plus Energy$58,696$28.22
    11ProDrivers$57,898$27.843
    12Smith Transport$57,721$27.7513
    13Trans-System$57,657$27.721
    14United Petroleum Transports$57,551$27.6728
    15Enterprises$57,029$27.4232
    16Triple A RV Center$57,005$27.41
    17Sentinel Transportation$56,776$27.303
    18Valicor$56,703$27.262
    19Andrews Logistics$56,622$27.2211
    20Green Plains$56,538$27.18
  4. Writing a tank truck driver job description

    A tank 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 a tank truck driver job description:

    Tank truck driver job description example

    Triple A Pro Services is recruiting a full-time Experienced Vacuum Tanker Truck Driver / Vacuum Pump Technician to spend most of their time driving in and around Franklin, OH , operating a vacuum truck, using Service Titan software, and delivering a world-class customer experience. This CDL position is paid a competitive hourly wage of $18 - $20 based on experience and skill.

    In addition to great pay and our exceptional culture , this driving position comes with the following benefits and perks :

    • Ancillary, dental, vision, and life insurance
    • Long and short-term disability
    • 6 paid holidays
    • 1 day of paid time off (starting at 6 months)
    • A 401(k) plan
    • Paid training
    • Allowances for boots and uniforms
    • Employee referral bonuses
    • A CDL bonus (for those who don't have one)
    • Prize-winning contests and bonus opportunities
    • Free coffee, popsicles, and snacks

    So, now that you've learned the who, what, where, and why, you may be wondering HOW ? It's easy! Apply to be our Vacuum Tanker Truck Driver / Vacuum Pump Technician by filling out our initial quick, mobile-friendly online application . We hope to meet you soon!


    THE IDEAL EXPERIENCED VACUUM TANKER TRUCK DRIVER / VACUUM PUMP TECHNICIAN

    • Professional - present yourself as someone you would want to do business with
    • Communication skills - the ability to explain technical information in layman's terms
    • Career-minded - looking for more than a job
    • Pride in your work - real desire to do quality work and ensure customer satisfaction
    • Safety-oriented - carefully driving and operating the vacuum tanker

    Is this you? If so, and you're ready to build a career in one of the largest industries that produces over $60 billion in revenue, keep going!


    ABOUT TRIPLE A PRO SERVICES

    Triple A Pro Services is a family-owned and operated company specializing in home and commercial cleaning, maintenance, repair, and installation services. We deliver WOW through service! We serve above ourselves by taking action with a sense of urgency and going beyond customer expectations. Safety is our top priority, whether we are performing excavation services for new lines or cleaning grease traps, we do the right thing even when no one is watching. We also strive to stay active in the community by inviting them to our farm and working with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton.

    We are pros at what we do and are always looking for more pros. We act as All For One & One For All as we take care of each other and the community. We aren't just a team, we are a tribe, and you have a voice here. By hiring like-minded individuals who take responsibility for their actions, show respect, and have fun, we have curated a fantastic tribe. We believe in training to get to the next level, celebrating our wins, and working hard to know what we do has meaning . We strive to build healthy leaders from within who have a voice, self-accountability, and enthusiastically contribute to making us a great place to work !


    REQUIREMENTS

    • Must have a valid CDL driver's license
    • Able to obtain tanker endorsement
    • At least 1 year of experience

    If you enjoy dirty jobs and driving and are ready to make the best decision of your career, apply today to join our team as a Vacuum Tanker Truck Driver / Vacuum Pump Technician!


    Location: 45005

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find tank 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 tank truck driver job on Zippia to find and recruit tank 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 tank 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.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 tank truck driver

    Once you've selected the best tank truck driver candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new tank 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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a tank truck driver?

Recruiting tank truck drivers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $59,007 per year for a tank truck driver, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for tank truck drivers in the US typically range between $19 and $41 an hour.

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