How to hire a truck driver

How to hire a truck driver, step by step

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

What does a truck driver do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The 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?

   Yes

   No

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

   Type of Truck Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   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	$19-43
   CDL Class A Driver	A CDL Class A driver is a driver with a Class A commercial driver's license. A commercial driver's license is necessary to operate large, heavy, and placarded vehicles... Show more	$17-36
   Company Driver	A company driver helps an organization with all transport-related duties and ensures that these are carried out on time. Company drivers transport and deliver goods, equipment, products, and staff members to locations required by the organization... Show more	$21-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • OTR
   • DOT
   • PET
   • Hazmat
   • Customer Service
   • Pickup
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • English Language
   • Safety Regulations
   • Hazardous Materials
   • GPS
   • Mechanical Problems
   • Traffic Violations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
   • Flatb loads including steel and specialty metals, pipe, refractory brick, commercial building materials, lumber and equipment.
   • Follow all HAZMAT regulations while transporting hazardous materials.
   • Utilize appropriate PPE at all times.
   • Dedicate run from Tennessee to California with LTL.
   • Used proper PPE and safety equipment when need.

   More truck driver duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your truck driver job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A truck driver 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 driver in Nebraska may be lower than in Delaware, and an entry-level truck driver usually earns less than a senior-level truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver 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 driver salary

   $60,326yearly

   $29.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level truck driver salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

   Average truck driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Delaware	$70,911	$34
   2	New Jersey	$70,053	$34
   3	New York	$69,973	$34
   4	New Hampshire	$69,380	$33
   5	Kentucky	$68,665	$33
   6	Pennsylvania	$68,411	$33
   7	Maryland	$67,951	$33
   8	Indiana	$67,681	$33
   9	Georgia	$66,950	$32
   10	Wisconsin	$66,923	$32
   11	Mississippi	$66,623	$32
   12	Missouri	$66,110	$32
   13	Ohio	$66,093	$32
   14	Minnesota	$66,045	$32
   15	Arkansas	$65,935	$32
   16	North Carolina	$65,315	$31
   17	Massachusetts	$65,239	$31
   18	Kansas	$64,729	$31
   19	Virginia	$63,965	$31
   20	South Carolina	$63,701	$31

   Average truck driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	W. R. Grace & Co	$88,286	$42.45
   2	Walmart	$88,226	$42.42	51
   3	Air Products	$84,696	$40.72
   4	Praxair	$81,917	$39.38
   5	Mid-South Management	$79,803	$38.37
   6	Kemira Chemicals	$78,717	$37.84	1
   7	Marathon Petroleum	$78,312	$37.65	13
   8	Lhoist	$74,349	$35.74	4
   9	Tyson Foods	$72,863	$35.03	2
   10	The Custom Companies	$70,852	$34.06
   11	Smithfield Foods	$70,656	$33.97	12
   12	Woodfield Country Club	$70,576	$33.93	5
   13	Bob's Discount Furniture	$69,536	$33.43	3
   14	Celadon Group	$68,679	$33.02	1
   15	Averitt Express	$68,506	$32.94
   16	McLane	$68,473	$32.92	142
   17	Werner Enterprises	$68,413	$32.89	5
   18	Old Dominion Freight Line	$68,406	$32.89	21
   19	Ace Hardware	$68,111	$32.75	52
   20	Covanta	$67,720	$32.56	5

4. Writing a truck driver job description

   A 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 truck driver job description:

   Truck driver job description example

   Looking for an opportunity where success comes naturally? Then you may have found your crew. We're looking for a Snow Truck Driver to join our team.
   Here's what you'd do:
   
   • Snow Truck Driver will be responsible for performing all tasks related to snow removal. Shifts are on-call and range from 6 to 12 hours and are often overnight depending on the storm event. May require longer hours for larger storms. The season starts on the first snow fall.
   
   You'd be responsible for:
   
   + Snow Truck Driver will be responsible for performing all tasks related to snow removal, including operating snow, plow and box trucks, ATV plows, snow blowers, snow shovels and e-pokes (salt spreaders).
   
   + Work with Sidewalk-Crews as a team to efficiently and safely complete each assignment. We emphasize high-quality service.
   
   You might be a good fit if you have:
   
   + 3 years of commercial experience using a plow truck or salt truck
   
   + 3+ years of commercial snow experience using Skid-Steer, Front End Loader, Backhoe, or equivalent vehicles with plows and snow containment boxes
   
   + 18 years of age or older
   
   + Have a valid and clean driver's license with no restrictions (CDL is NOT required)
   
   + Work well under pressure while observing safety guidelines
   
   + Have a smart phone (to download and use our attendance tracker App)
   
   + Have dependable transportation
   
   + You must attend and pass training and a background check
   
   + Able to lawfully work in the USA
   
   Here's what to know about working here:
   
   At BrightView, we're a tight-knit crew who are as passionate about caring for our clients as we are about each other. Though we're the nation's leading landscape company, we maintain a small company feel and supportive environment that makes our team members feel at home.
   
   If you're looking to join a crew of talented go-getters who tackle big vision projects other companies could only dream of, you might just have found your match. With our range of services, including landscape design, development, maintenance and enhancements, there's no limit to what we can do, and what you can achieve.
   
   In addition to industry-leading development opportunities, you'll also have benefits and perks like:
   
   + Competitive salary
   
   + Paid time off
   
   + Medical, dental, and vision insurance
   
   Think you've found your crew?
   
   BrightView is an Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with truck driver 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 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 truck driver

   Once you have selected a candidate for the truck 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.

   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.

   To prepare for the new truck driver first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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 driver?