How to hire a truck operator

How to hire a truck operator, step by step

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

What does a truck operator do?

Post a truck operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a truck operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   Type of Truck Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Truck Operator	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	$14-24
   Over The Road Driver	Over the road, (OTR) drivers are the truckers driving the big semi-trailer truck that hauls all types of goods to their destinations across the states. Their journey typically begins with loading the freight onto the trailer, requiring them to lift heavy materials and load the cargo properly to avoid shifting while in transit... Show more	$20-42
   Delivery Helper	A delivery helper is someone who aids a delivery driver and rides with him in the truck, and assists him in the home deliveries. Delivery helpers are responsible for checking merchandise and packages... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Industrial Cleaning
   • Customer Service
   • Bucket Truck
   • DOT
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Safety Procedures
   • Asphalt
   • Hazmat
   • Tractor Trailer
   • OSHA
   • Safety Standards
   • Math
   • Pre-trip

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and execute standard operations of a semi-tractor trailer for OTR drop and hook services.
   • Possess HAZMAT license endorsement for volatile fuels and CDL.
   • Operate container delivery vehicles and transfer station equipment (wheel loaders) and tractor trailer driver.
   • Load haul trucks with excavators and front end loaders, excavate pits, ponds and cut roads.
   • Operate mowing and landscape equipment.
   • Operate a bobcat on job sites.

   More truck operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   $39,608yearly

   $19.04 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level truck operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average truck operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$48,117	$23
   2	North Dakota	$45,989	$22
   3	New York	$45,809	$22
   4	Maryland	$44,735	$22
   5	Pennsylvania	$44,111	$21
   6	New Jersey	$43,775	$21
   7	California	$41,312	$20
   8	Montana	$41,012	$20
   9	Colorado	$40,241	$19
   10	Indiana	$40,107	$19
   11	Georgia	$40,047	$19
   12	Virginia	$40,037	$19
   13	Illinois	$40,016	$19
   14	Texas	$39,488	$19
   15	Missouri	$39,486	$19
   16	Arizona	$39,471	$19
   17	North Carolina	$38,813	$19
   18	Ohio	$37,438	$18
   19	Tennessee	$36,268	$17
   20	Florida	$36,101	$17

   Average truck operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Mars	$48,894	$23.51	9
   2	Steel Dynamics	$47,943	$23.05	32
   3	Metals USA	$47,339	$22.76	5
   4	Genesee & Wyoming	$45,753	$22.00	4
   5	Clean Harbors	$45,326	$21.79	246
   6	KS Energy Services	$44,811	$21.54
   7	RailWorks	$44,791	$21.53	13
   8	Custom Concrete Co., Inc.	$44,784	$21.53	2
   9	Ledcor	$44,641	$21.46	4
   10	Morton Buildings	$44,608	$21.45	6
   11	Curtis Contracting	$44,585	$21.44	25
   12	Fisher Industries	$44,439	$21.36	26
   13	Southeast Connections	$44,378	$21.34
   14	Martin Marietta	$44,325	$21.31	30
   15	Newmont	$44,302	$21.30
   16	WestRock	$43,701	$21.01	26
   17	Pactiv	$43,612	$20.97	27
   18	Ranger Energy Services	$43,508	$20.92	4
   19	Quad	$43,409	$20.87	9
   20	ASPEN PRODUCTS	$43,325	$20.83

4. Writing a truck operator job description

   A truck operator 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 operator job description:

   Truck operator job description example

   • Requires High School Diploma or GED (or equivalent reading, writing, and reasoning skills).
   • 2-3 years of experience operating vacuum trucks (or similar equipment).
   • Valid Class A CDL.
   • Successful completion of a pre-employment background and substance screening process including, but not limited to, employment verifications, criminal search and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) search as well continued verifications throughout employment to ensure that all records meet company policy standards.

   
   

   Preferred Qualifications:

   • Previous hydro-vac, trucking, vacuum truck, or other related industry experience preferred
   • Experience in a labor-intensive position and working outside in all types of weather conditions.

   This full-time Hydrovac Truck Operator position receives a competitive salary commensurate with experience and position responsibilities. As a full-time Hydrovac Truck Operator, you would also be eligible for an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, a 401(k) plan, and paid personal time (PTO) . If this sounds like the career opportunity that you’ve been looking for, apply today!

   
   

   ABOUT HUNT ELECTRIC, INC.

   Hunt Electric, Inc. is a full-service electrical, technology, and infrastructure contractor with wide-reaching services available to all types of markets. With licenses in eight states and offices in Salt Lake City, St. George, and Denver, we have continued to lead the industry across the Inter-Mountain West since 1986. Our turn-key services range from design-build engineering to construction and maintenance. With eight in-house divisions , an on-site prefabrication department, in-house licensed engineers, a fully trained and specialized workforce, and 24-hour on-call service , Hunt Electric ensures our clients’ projects are successful from start to finish – and beyond.

   As a thriving Utah-based business , we’re looking for enthusiastic, positive people to come on board with us and build successful, long-term careers . We believe in making an investment in each employee’s strengths. Hunt Electric is a place where you will learn, grow, contribute, and lead. That’s why we offer competitive pay and fantastic benefits . If this sounds like the career opportunity you've been looking for, apply today!

   Are you able to work independently with minimal supervision? Do you work well under pressure? Can you clearly communicate technical information both verbally and in writing? If yes, apply now!

   WORK SCHEDULE

   This is a full-time position with a typical working schedule of Monday - Thursday, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm, and Friday, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm.

   READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?

   If you believe that you’re a good fit for this position, please fill out our application today . We look forward to meeting you.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right truck operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit truck operators, 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 truck operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect truck operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new truck operator. 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 truck operator?