How to hire a truck driver/warehouse

How to hire a truck driver/warehouse, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the truck driver/warehouse you need to hire. Certain truck driver/warehouse roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect truck driver/warehouse 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 truck driver/warehouse salaries for various positions.

   Type of Truck Driver/Warehouse	Description	Hourly rate
   Truck Driver/Warehouse	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	$12-20
   CDL Driver	A 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
   Local Driver	A local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations... Show more	$15-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • OTR
   • DOT
   • Safety Regulations
   • Pallet Jack
   • Delivery Truck
   • Tractor Trailer
   • Load Trucks
   • Food Products
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Customer Orders
   • Straight Truck
   • Pickup
   • Traffic Violations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Load truck with appropriate product and deliver accordingly, return to warehouse for receiving and other warehouse duties including monthly inventory.
   • Maintain open communication via CB radio for additional instructions.

   More truck driver/warehouse duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your truck driver/warehouse job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A truck driver/warehouse salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, truck driver/warehouses' average salary in florida is 35% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level truck driver/warehouses earn 36% less than senior-level truck driver/warehouses.
   • Certifications. A truck driver/warehouse with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a truck driver/warehouse's salary.

   Average truck driver/warehouse salary

   $16.41hourly

   $34,127 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level truck driver/warehouse salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average truck driver/warehouse salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$38,012	$18
   2	New York	$37,948	$18
   3	Maryland	$37,085	$18
   4	Massachusetts	$36,978	$18
   5	Pennsylvania	$36,520	$18
   6	Oregon	$35,720	$17
   7	California	$35,231	$17
   8	Colorado	$35,093	$17
   9	Ohio	$35,083	$17
   10	Virginia	$34,617	$17
   11	Minnesota	$33,831	$16
   12	Wisconsin	$33,795	$16
   13	Arizona	$33,667	$16
   14	Texas	$33,413	$16
   15	Tennessee	$33,289	$16
   16	Georgia	$32,475	$16
   17	Indiana	$31,933	$15
   18	Nevada	$31,697	$15
   19	Missouri	$31,566	$15
   20	South Carolina	$31,353	$15

   Average truck driver/warehouse salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Green Mountain Coffee Roasters	$39,512	$19.00
   2	Lactalis	$39,046	$18.77	4
   3	Halliburton	$36,961	$17.77	4
   4	Hanes Companies, Inc.	$36,272	$17.44	6
   5	Mohawk Industries	$36,095	$17.35	58
   6	Bridgestone	$35,558	$17.10	1
   7	CentiMark	$35,441	$17.04	23
   8	Konica Minolta	$35,338	$16.99	1
   9	North Arlington School District Nj	$34,859	$16.76	1
   10	U.S. Venture	$34,705	$16.69	121
   11	Ziegler CAT	$34,645	$16.66	4
   12	US Supply	$34,619	$16.64
   13	TransForce	$34,404	$16.54	694
   14	Belnick	$34,375	$16.53	1
   15	Monday Night Brewing	$34,374	$16.53
   16	Hudson Group	$34,307	$16.49
   17	Novo Building Products	$34,255	$16.47	5
   18	S&S Activewear	$34,253	$16.47	11
   19	Alcohol Beverage Control	$34,126	$16.41
   20	CS Distribution Holdings Inc	$34,126	$16.41

4. Writing a truck driver/warehouse job description

   A good truck driver/warehouse 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 truck driver/warehouse job description:

   Truck driver/warehouse job description example

   J OB SUMMARY :
   The Driver/Warehouse associate is responsible for delivery and pick-up of products to designated customer locations and to US Supply’s branch locations. The driver position is responsible for accurately loading or unloading and for the integrity of the load from dock to delivery site, as well as for correct quantities, and paperwork. In the warehouse, he/she is responsible for accurately putting away incoming material and picking and packing orders for shipment.
   The driver is responsible for following the assigned delivery route and for on-time delivery through the use of a GPS navigation mobile device and routing system. Driver/Warehouse Associates are also responsible for ensuring safe operation of all vehicles and material handling equipment and for all maintenance safety checks as well as the safety and security of all company assets. While driving, the Associate is responsible for a positive customer experience and for maintaining an ongoing customer relationship to support the company’s mission.
   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   1. Responsible for the on-time and safe operation of the assigned vehicle during pick up from vendors and delivery to our branches and customer locations. Associate is responsible for following the designated route in order to maintain deliveries within the timeframe guaranteed to the customer. Driver is responsible for observing all traffic rules, posted speed signs and bridge weight and height requirements.
   2. Responsible for accurate loading and unloading of products by maintaining a high level of personal concern for the integrity of the plumbing and HVAC products carried. The associate is responsible for ensuring the products delivered, correctly match the customer location and manifest by product identification and quantity. The associate is responsible to inspect all merchandise prior to and during transport, photograph loads prior to transport and at the time of delivery and for obtaining signatures on paperwork upon receipt or delivery. In COD situations, the driver is also responsible for obtaining valid bank drawn checks, which match the customer name as listed on the manifest.
   3. Responsible for safe vehicle operation and maintenance, including pre and post maintenance safety checks, and for maintaining appropriate fuel levels using a company provided fueling PIN number. Associates must maintain an inspection book as required by supervision, and report all vehicle operational issues or required inspection due dates immediately to supervision. The associate is required to keep the vehicle locked, and to carry and maintain on the vehicle at all times, the correct vehicle registration, insurance certification, state stickers, EZ Pass device along with a valid and appropriate personal driving license. Associate is responsible for returning the mobile device, keys, gas receipts and other product paperwork and checks to the office at the end of each shift.
   Driver 4/04/14
   4. Responsible for warehouse picking and receiving, warehouse cleanup and or material movement. Responsible for processing orders accurately and efficiently and for identifying products based on product codes and/or physical characteristics. Responsible for inspecting all products handled for defects and for stocking products in the appropriate location and updating the system with the appropriate location. Ensure all products are properly labeled with product ID, unit quantities and order information as appropriate.
   5. This position must safely operate material handling equipment such as forklifts and order pickers and utilize an RF scanner to record inventory changes. The associate may utilize Third party freight companies’ systems and Eclipse systems to create labels and shipping documents for products and shipments. Any potentially hazardous material must be handled safely and according to the Safety Data Sheet provided by the manufacturer. Aisles, material and equipment in assigned areas must be maintained in a clean and organized manner.
   6. Must promote cooperative relationships with our branches, customers and vendors, the warehouse and support staff and follow all policies and procedures established by the company.
   Qualifications
   • Education: High School or GED
   • Experience: Minimum of 3+ years distribution and or logistics delivery experience with a clean driving record.
   • Must have and maintain a valid CDL A or Class C license appropriate to the class and size vehicle assigned.
   • Ability to make sound decisions related to safe driving and the delivery and placement of loads. Ability to adhere to all state and federal driving regulations.
   • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with other employees, customers and vendors.
   • Familiarity with the operation of a Smart Phone, GPS navigation and RF scanner. Eclipse inventory management system experience preferred.
   Work Environment
   Primary work is performed in a closed truck cab or trailer. Loading, unloading, picking, receiving can be either outdoor or indoors at a loading dock or warehouse facility.
   Physical Requirements : Able to pass a DOT physical examination and drug and alcohol screen upon hire and randomly. Ability to sit in a truck cabin for long periods and to stand for up to 8 hours continuously. Ability to bend, reach and lift up to 50 lbs and to move up to 70 lbs of product onto and off of skids at ground level. Ability to climb up into a truck cabin and on and off of a truck bed, as well as move skids with the aid of a pallet jack.
   Travel : Required to drive loads to multiple branches and or to customer designated locations.
   Position Type and Expected hours of work : Full Time/Regular. Hours are Monday – Friday and vary depending on responsibilities. OT expected to include Saturdays as scheduled with supervisor or manager.

   Company DescriptionWe are a family owned regional wholesale distributor of HVAC and Plumbing Supplies established over 71 years ago. As a strong force in our markets, we currently operate 11 locations, two distribution centers and a company showroom with our corporate office located in West Conshohocken, PA. We strive to grow by providing excellence in Customer Care and creating Win-Win solutions to the contractor and do-it-yourself customers. We are professionals operating in a casual family type environment; focused on team collaboration and communication to develop our business. We offer growth opportunities through career development, a complete benefits package to include medical benefits, paid time off and 401K match.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find truck driver/warehouses for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any truck driver/warehouses they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level truck driver/warehouses with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your truck driver/warehouse job on Zippia to find and recruit truck driver/warehouse candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting truck driver/warehouses requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 truck driver/warehouse

   Once you've found the truck driver/warehouse candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   To prepare for the new truck driver/warehouse 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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