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How to hire a trailer driver

Trailer driver hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring trailer drivers in the United States:

  • There are currently 516,597 trailer drivers in the US, as well as 795,437 job openings.
  • Trailer drivers are in the highest demand in Hobe Sound, FL, with 2 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a trailer driver is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new trailer driver to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a trailer driver, step by step

To hire a trailer driver, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a trailer driver, you should follow these steps:

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

    The trailer 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?

    Hiring the perfect trailer 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.

    This list presents trailer driver salaries for various positions.

    Type of Trailer DriverDescriptionHourly rate
    Trailer 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$16-35
    Driver TrainerDriver trainers are instructors who teach their clients how to drive. They are often considered experts in driving, and they are credible enough to impart their driving knowledge to clients... Show more$14-33
    Driver/MoverA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • DOT
    • OTR
    • Delivery Schedules
    • Post-Trip Inspections
    • Safety Regulations
    • Federal Regulations
    • LTL
    • Unload Trucks
    • Inspection Reports
    • Tractor-Trailer Combination
    • Safety Inspections
    • Log Book
    • Hazardous Materials
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
    • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your trailer driver job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A trailer driver can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, trailer drivers' average salary in florida is 42% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level trailer drivers 52% less than senior-level trailer drivers.
    • Certifications. A trailer driver with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a trailer driver's salary.

    Average trailer driver salary

    $50,801yearly

    $24.42 hourly rate

    Entry-level trailer driver salary
    $35,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025
  4. Writing a trailer driver job description

    A good trailer driver job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a trailer driver job description:

    Trailer driver job description example

    Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm***
    *** Overtime hours, working weekends and holidays, and starting at various early morning start times are occasionally required. Occasionally you will complete your day early or need to adjust your start time to earlier.

    Basic Qualifications:

    · Must be over 25 years of age (Insurance Requirement)

    · Valid driver’s license with a clean record (No DUI/DWI in last 3 years/ no accidents in last 2 years)

    · Proven work experience pulling bumper pull and 40-foot gooseneck trailers ( 2 years min. experience)

    · Basic mechanical skills: change tires, change batteries, fix lights, etc.

    · TWIC Card (or ability to obtain one)

    · Pass pre-employment testing (Drug Screen, background check)

    · Able to read, write and communicate in English as it relates to this job and to safety regulations

    · Have basic math skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide)

    · Ability to work in a variety of weather and traffic conditions

    · Knowledge of the greater Houston area

    · Excellent organizational and time management skills

    · Operate vehicles in a variety of traffic and weather conditions

    · Overtime hours, working weekends and holidays, and starting at various early morning start times are required.

    · Frequently lift, push, or move a product that weighs 1-100 lbs.

    · Constantly bend and twist while loading and unloading product and retrieving items from trailer. As well as climbing up and down from the trailer.

    · Transport product down ramps, or docks, in all weather conditions.

    · Forklift driving certified

    Drivers Responsibilities

    · Pre-Trip inspection of truck and trailer – ensure in good operation, lights working, safety chains intact, no safety issues.

    · Hooking and unhooking trailers

    · Driving Forklift – to load or unload down equipment

    · Loading and unloading trailers, including securing the load and strapping down cars and utilizing extra straps for accessories such as: Wood on flatbeds had to have its own strap, as well as enclosures, beverage cars, ambulance, and some roofs/cabs. If it does not look secure or like it will ride down the highway, strap it down.

    · Trailers need to be unloaded every evening. Cars should be checked in properly. Always ask questions if you are unsure. Making a mistake here can delay turnaround times for repairs

    · Frequently lift, push, or move products that weights 1-100 lbs.

    · Frequently climbing on and off trailer, bending and twisting while unloading products and retrieving items from trailer. Occasionally pushing broken equipment up on the trailer/using a winch as an assistive device.

    · Following a route and time schedule. Immediately inform management team of any deviations. Nothing leaves here without a task and invoice and/or Task and rental contract. Always call the contact on your paperwork prior to leaving the shop. Make sure they will be able to accept the delivery. Some places are closed on Fridays and sometimes the contacts the salesmen give may not be the correct contact. You must always call first.

    · Collect Payments when required and turn in when returning to office.

    · Scanning cars and chargers with IPhone and email list to maintain inventory control. This is how we manage our inventory. If we do not scan, then we can potentially loose inventory. That costs the company a lot of money. Scan every car - every load no excuses. Use the label:
    To Rio Colorado from RE
    From Rio Colorado to RE

    · Chargers and Keys must be accounted for. Be sure to follow policy to tracking those items.

    · Rental cars with damage, missing keys, stickers, etc. must be reported to the dispatcher so the customer can be billed.

    · Maintaining a clean truck and trailer; washing and detailing all vehicles owned by company.

    · Demonstrate strong customer relations and problem resolution skills.

    · Effectively plan and organize work activities independent of direct supervision.

    · Develop a good working knowledge of product and inventory control techniques and procedures.

    · Maintain ongoing inter-department communications related to routing, safety, and customer relations. Must be a team player and be able to communicate and work with others well.

    · Do not use your cell phones while driving. Always pull over to a safe spot before texting or calling.

    · Follow the speed limit. You are responsible for your tickets you get. General manager must be notified if you receive a ticket in company vehicle.

    · Drive responsibly through parking lot and driveways.

    Commitments:

    · Maintain positive relationships with customers, other employees, and owners

    · Focus on Quality & Service & Safety

    · Wear uniform shirt and/or name badge every day

    · Demonstrate an interest in growing the dealerships business

    · Must maintain a valid unrestricted Texas driver's license and a clean driving record. At any time if you become illegible to be listed on our insurance you will be dismissed from the job immediately for misconduct/violation of company policy.

    This job description is only to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not be interpreted as a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job.

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Company DescriptionWe are a small but steadily growing company looking for a candidate to grow with our company.
  5. Post your job

    To find the right trailer 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 trailer drivers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit trailer 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 trailer driver job on Zippia to find and recruit trailer 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 trailer 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.

    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 trailer driver

    Once you have selected a candidate for the trailer 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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new trailer 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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How much does it cost to hire a trailer driver?

Hiring a trailer driver comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting trailer drivers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of trailer driver recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for trailer drivers is $50,801 in the US. However, the cost of trailer driver hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a trailer driver for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $16 and $35 an hour.

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