What does a truck operator do?
Truck Operators are individuals making a living by driving trucks and heavy goods vehicles such as articulated trucks, semi-trailers, and tankers. They are responsible for administering goods, loading and unloading into the truck, assessing the goods conditions, scheduling transport operations, arranging transport documentations, and inspecting vehicle conditions before starting work. Other duties include checking tires, fuel, oil filters, and oil levels. Truck Operators also supervise delivery operations, vehicle cleaning, tire maintenance, and refueling.
Truck operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real truck operator resumes:
- 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.
- Operate M1A1 tanks in a military environment.
- Maintain driver log according to DOD regulations.
- Load and unload commercial trucks with MHE equipment.
- Have a good understanding of MSHA rules and regulations.
- Used mowing tractors to clear brush off county right-of-ways.
- Use proper personal equipment (PPE) at all times.
- Dig trenches to lay or repair sewer and other pipelines.
- Inventory management and proper paperwork for HAZMAT materials and other products.
- Dig a trench to pull conduit wires into a junction box.
Truck operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Truck Operators are proficient in CDL, Industrial Cleaning, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Hearing ability, and Physical health.
We break down the percentage of Truck Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 24%
Operated Class CDL B cementing pump truck, pumping cement for oil and gas companies.
- Industrial Cleaning, 6%
Lot maintenance of commercial lots and residential, includes but not limited to light industrial cleaning, carpentry and assembly.
- Customer Service, 5%
Maintained satisfactory customer service by maintaining radio and/or telephone contact with supervisor or dispatcher to receive delivery or pickup instructions.
- Bucket Truck, 5%
Operate bucket Truck to Demo/Install/Replace damaged signal lights for intersections!
- DOT, 5%
Transport perishable and non-perishable groceries throughout Northern California while adhering to DOT regulations.
- Routine Maintenance, 4%
Engaged in executing security measures for facilities and personnel Provided routine maintenance for heavy equipment.6
Common skills that a truck operator uses to do their job include "cdl," "industrial cleaning," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important truck operator responsibilities below.
Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a truck operator to have is hand-eye coordination. Their role and responsibilities require that "drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers must be able to coordinate their legs, hands, and eyes simultaneously so that they will react appropriately to the situation around them and drive the vehicle safely." Truck operators often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "project coordination was necessary requiring detail oriented math, handling finances, estimating and creating a bid and contacting customers. "
Hearing ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling truck operator duties is hearing ability. The role rewards competence in this skill because "truck drivers need good hearing." According to a truck operator resume, here's how truck operators can utilize hearing ability in their job responsibilities: "transport and deliver customer goods while adhearing to strict deadlines and safety regulations for professional drivers. "
Physical health. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of truck operators is physical health. This skill is critical to many everyday truck operator duties, as "federal regulations do not allow people to become truck drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, which may interfere with their ability to operate a truck." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintain dot 2 year physical with urinalysis requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most truck operators are:
- The Townsend68 truck operators jobs
- Genesee & Wyoming22 truck operators jobs
- Penn Line21 truck operators jobs
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Compare different truck operators
Truck operator vs. 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. They often sleep in the sleeper berth at a truck stop to eat, freshen up and refuel. They are allowed to go on a 30-minute break after an eight-hour drive.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between truck operators and over the road driver. For instance, truck operator responsibilities require skills such as "industrial cleaning," "bucket truck," "dot," and "routine maintenance." Whereas a over the road driver is skilled in "pet," "post-trip inspections," "ltl," and "dot regulations." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Over the road drivers really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $62,648. Comparatively, truck operators tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $43,058.over the road drivers tend to reach similar levels of education than truck operators. In fact, over the road drivers are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Truck operator vs. 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. They also assist the driver load, unload, and move equipment as well as deliver orders for customers. Also, their duties include installing and operating GPS software to help the delivery driver in coming to their destination. They typically are in charge of completing whichever tasks the delivery driver is required to perform their services.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, truck operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cdl," "industrial cleaning," "bucket truck," and "routine maintenance." Meanwhile, a delivery helper has duties that require skills in areas such as "roofing," "basic math," "customers homes," and "work ethic." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Delivery helpers may earn a lower salary than truck operators, but delivery helpers earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $35,344. On the other hand, truck operators receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,058.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Delivery helpers tend to reach similar levels of education than truck operators. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for truck operators in the next 3-5 years?
Don Lefeve
President & Chairman of the Board, CVTA
Truck operator vs. Commercial truck driver
A commercial truck driver is primarily in charge of transporting and delivering cargo, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities include driving for long durations, coordinating with logistics staff, handling documentation, and maintaining the safety of cargo. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients, unload and load cargo, and keep records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a commercial truck driver, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks on vehicles and adhere to the traffic laws and regulations for a safe and productive work environment.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from truck operator resumes include skills like "industrial cleaning," "customer service," "bucket truck," and "dot," whereas a commercial truck driver is more likely to list skills in "good time management," "safety issues," "safety equipment," and "otr. "
Commercial truck drivers earn the best pay in the transportation industry, where they command an average salary of $59,816. Truck operators earn the highest pay from the construction industry, with an average salary of $43,058.Most commercial truck drivers achieve a similar degree level compared to truck operators. For example, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Truck operator vs. Water truck driver
Water truck drivers are professional drivers who are required to drive trucks to transport water for construction projects, oil rigs, and crews working in remote sites. These drivers must demonstrate their ability by driving their trucks in unpredictable weather conditions and navigating in heavy traffics. They must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections while performing preventive maintenance on their trucks to ensure safety while driving. Water truck drivers must also check all load documents to ensure that they are accurate and received the required signatures for pickup and delivery.
Types of truck operator
Updated January 8, 2025
