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How to hire a truck dispatcher

Truck dispatcher hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring truck dispatchers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a truck dispatcher 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 truck dispatcher to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a truck dispatcher, step by step

To hire a truck dispatcher, 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 truck dispatcher:

Here's a step-by-step truck dispatcher hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a truck dispatcher job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new truck dispatcher
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a truck dispatcher do?

A truck dispatcher is tasked with scheduling deliveries, passenger transport, or shipments that are conducted by truck; they work hand in hand with truck drivers. They maintain communication with customers record shipment details, ensure pick-up times, and discuss any other issues. A track dispatcher is also responsible for tracking delivery trucks to ensure that goods arrive on time and undamaged. They may also be in charge of setting up routes.

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

    Before you post your truck dispatcher 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 truck dispatcher 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?

    Hiring the perfect truck dispatcher 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.

    The following list breaks down different types of truck dispatchers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Truck DispatcherDescriptionHourly rate
    Truck Dispatcher$11-25
    Yardmaster/Customer Service/Crew DispatchingA yardmaster/customer service/crew dispatching officer functions differently depending on their industry or place of employment. Most of their responsibilities revolve around dealing with providing customer support and services, responding to inquiries and correspondence, addressing issues and concerns, providing corrective measures, and producing progress reports... Show more$12-18
    Dispatch CoordinatorA dispatch coordinator is primarily in charge of dispatching and tracking vehicles that provide different services. The extent of their duties varies upon their industry or institution of employment... Show more$14-22
    Show more

  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Truck Loads
    • Safety Regulations
    • Customer Service
    • Delivery Appointments
    • Owner Operators
    • GPS
    • OTR
    • Computer System
    • Driver Logs
    • Freight Rates
    • Service Vehicle
    • Conveyance
    • Customer Inquiries
    • Book Loads
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
    • Develop and quoted rates to shippers and agents.
    • Handle and resolve problems as they arise with shippers and drivers.
    • Guide truck drivers to donation pick up locations, via computer and GPS location.
    • Provide real time GPS tracking of traffic and all drivers on the road as dispatcher for the company.
    • Excel as an OTR refrigerate dispatcher and are key in the the company's adoption of Mcleod software for dispatch functions.
    More truck dispatcher duties

  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your truck dispatcher job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A truck dispatcher salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a truck dispatcher in Louisiana may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level truck dispatcher usually earns less than a senior-level truck dispatcher. Additionally, a truck dispatcher with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average truck dispatcher salary

    $35,756yearly

    $17.19 hourly rate
    Entry-level truck dispatcher salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 5, 2025

    Average truck dispatcher salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$40,623$20
    2New Jersey$39,645$19
    3New York$38,788$19
    4Georgia$35,517$17
    5Illinois$34,484$17
    6Missouri$34,263$16
    7Pennsylvania$34,207$16
    8Texas$33,783$16
    9Florida$33,243$16
    10South Dakota$33,005$16

    Average truck dispatcher salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Marathon Petroleum$56,467$27.15
    2Energy Transfer$36,318$17.461
    3Spec's$35,515$17.078
    4Management Recruiters International(MRI)$33,940$16.32
    5Central$33,883$16.294
    6Select Express & Logistics$33,666$16.19
    7Workbox Staffing$33,452$16.081
    8C & B Operations$32,722$15.73

  4. Writing a truck dispatcher job description

    A truck dispatcher 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 truck dispatcher job description:

    Truck dispatcher job description example

    My client, a well-established 3PL, is growing and expanding its customer base and is looking for an experienced dispatcher to lead a new fleet, and be part of the growth of their domestic trucking business. This is a fairly new facility so you’ll be part of the ground floor opportunity. You are remote in your home office Monday thru Friday.

    JOB SCOPE:

    You’ll be based in Nashville, TN. You will dispatch for the Jeffersonville, IN drivers (5), with a very big account. Then their other shipments will be dispatched to the Portland, TN drivers (5). Both locations are fairly new and will be increasing in size as they grow new business.

    1. The geographic footprint for their Jeffersonville trucks is: GA, AR, DE, GA, IA, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NY, OH, PA, WI. The drivers are normally home on the weekends.
    2. The Portland, TN drivers are home basically every night with some exceptions. Their geographic footprint is GA, AL, MS, KY, OH, and TN.

    JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

    • Follow all Company, DOT & OSHA procedures.
    • Dispatch & support drivers
    • Review drivers’ daily inspection reports
    • Review drivers’ daily log & keep for 6 mos for each driver
    • Review Driver trip reports for accuracy & addressing discrepancies
    • Maintain reports, on-time data entry
    • Assist in the procurement of backhauls

    JOB REQUIREMENTS:

    • 5+ years’ dispatch experience
    • Experience in Assisting the procurement of backhauls
    • AAS degree nice to have
    • Knowledge of & experience in Excel

    PAY / BENEFITS:

    • $60K Salary
    • Bonus
    • Great Family Benefits
    • 401K w/Matching funds
    • PTO

  5. Post your job

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

  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with truck dispatcher candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 truck dispatcher

    Once you've selected the best truck dispatcher 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.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new truck dispatcher. 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 truck dispatcher?

Before you start to hire truck dispatchers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire truck dispatchers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $35,756 per year for a truck dispatcher, 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 truck dispatchers in the US typically range between $11 and $25 an hour.

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Updated December 5, 2025

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