How to hire a trailer truck driver

How to hire a trailer truck driver, step by step

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

Post a trailer truck driver job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your trailer truck driver job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a trailer truck driver for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

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

   Here's a comparison of trailer truck driver salaries for various roles:

   Type of Trailer Truck Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Trailer 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	$17-41
   Driver Trainer	Driver 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/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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Commodities
   • DOT
   • OTR
   • Tractor-Trailer Combination
   • Asphalt
   • Tractor-Trailer Truck
   • Federal Regulations
   • Federal Motor
   • Safety Equipment
   • Safety Procedures
   • Unload Trucks
   • Vehicle Inspections
   • Driver Logs

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
   • Used GPS and/or maps to familiarize routes effectively.
   • Pick up and deliver brewery items to distributorwork local routes as well as otr routesdrove deliveries to las vegas and beyond
   • Report to dispatch receive orders of the day or night complete tank-trailer inspection maintain OTR paper logs records and tanks service
   • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
   • Look after the maintenance of general commodities such as steel, pipes, and associate LTL loads.

   More trailer truck driver duties

3. Make a budget

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

   Average trailer truck driver salary

   $57,200yearly

   $27.50 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level trailer truck driver salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average trailer truck driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$76,605	$37
   2	New York	$76,242	$37
   3	Illinois	$71,791	$35
   4	Indiana	$67,723	$33
   5	Kansas	$67,336	$32
   6	Minnesota	$67,324	$32
   7	New Hampshire	$65,059	$31
   8	Colorado	$63,059	$30
   9	Connecticut	$62,392	$30
   10	South Dakota	$62,362	$30
   11	South Carolina	$62,036	$30
   12	Nevada	$61,914	$30
   13	Texas	$61,905	$30
   14	Montana	$61,315	$29
   15	Utah	$61,232	$29
   16	Tennessee	$59,923	$29
   17	Rhode Island	$59,643	$29
   18	Alaska	$58,468	$28
   19	Ohio	$57,448	$28

   Average trailer truck driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Copart	$66,397	$31.92	29
   2	Hormel Foods	$63,042	$30.31	14
   3	J.B. Hunt Transport Services	$60,721	$29.19	706
   4	Monster Products	$58,129	$27.95	2
   5	Hawkins	$57,043	$27.42	4
   6	NTC-Nebraska Transport	$56,799	$27.31
   7	Smith Transport	$55,070	$26.48	14
   8	Schwebel's Bread	$54,269	$26.09	3
   9	Wise Foods	$53,740	$25.84
   10	Valvoline	$53,695	$25.81	4
   11	SC Fuels	$52,833	$25.40
   12	Core-Mark International	$52,645	$25.31	2
   13	Levin Furniture	$52,517	$25.25
   14	BTC West	$52,491	$25.24	1
   15	Corovan	$52,471	$25.23
   16	Bungii	$52,466	$25.22
   17	Valet Living	$52,464	$25.22	4
   18	Climate Engineers	$52,461	$25.22
   19	Aid Holdings Llc	$52,439	$25.21
   20	48forty Solutions	$52,395	$25.19	21

4. Writing a trailer truck driver job description

   A trailer 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 trailer truck driver job description:

   Trailer truck driver job description example

   About Us

   At Alliance Radiology, our team members focus on transforming the patient experience and delivering exceptional quality care. Alliance Radiology has rapidly grown over the past 30 years by providing radiology service line solutions, outpatient center management services, and mobile radiology solutions (Per Diem, PT, and FT MRI, PET/CT, CT).

   Alliance HealthCare Services is a nationwide organization headquartered in Irvine, California. With the help of our 2,500 Team Members, our company provides exceptional care through our three divisions: Radiology, Oncology, and Pain Management. Together we are “One Alliance” committed to serving our patients and customers as “An Incredible Team Making an Incredible Difference.”

   What You'll Do at Alliance:

   • Pre and post trip inspections, transport units, set-up and take-down procedures
   • Complete required paperwork on a daily basis
   • Perform minor repairs as needed

   What You'll Bring to Alliance:

   • Valid commercial driver's license in the state of residence and DOT Medical
   • 1 yr. commercial tractor trailer exp., FMCSR knowledge, basic computer skills
   • Able to work any schedule Monday - Sunday, including 2nd & 3rd shifts

   What Alliance Will Provide to You:

   • Medical, Dental & Vision
   • 401k
   • Paid Time Off: vacation, sick, holiday & float days
   • Plus much more!

   A division of Alliance HealthCare Services, we are an equal opportunity employer and we believe in strength through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

   CDL license, truck driver, OTR, local, regional, long haul, driver, class A CDL, semi driver, tractor trailer, over the road, trucking jobs, class A license, lowboy, flatbed, dry van, trailer, company driver, company truck driver, cdl class A

   We can recommend jobs specifically for you! Click here to get started.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit trailer truck drivers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 truck driver

   Once you've selected the best trailer 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new trailer truck driver. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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

   Sign up

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