How to hire a truck washer

How to hire a truck washer, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your truck washer 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 washer 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?

   Yes

   No

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

   Type of Truck Washer	Description	Hourly rate
   Truck Washer	Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.	$12-21
   Service Porter	Typically working in car dealerships, a service porter is in charge of performing a variety of tasks to maintain smooth operations. They maintain vehicles in good condition by conducting regular maintenance checks and repairs, refilling gas tanks, inspecting tires and batteries, and cleaning the interior and exterior of cars... Show more	$10-16
   Detailer	A detailer's general responsibility is to provide automotive cleaning services to clients' specifications. Detailers' duties also include inspection of vehicle condition, conducting primary overhaul for interior and exterior defects, and knowledge of cleaning tools and equipment... Show more	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Minor Maintenance
   • DOT
   • Light Maintenance
   • Tractor Trailer
   • Fleet Vehicles
   • General Maintenance
   • Power Washers
   • Wash Trucks
   • Hazardous Chemicals
   • Diesel Trucks
   • Rinse
   • Bio-Security
   • Notify Supervisors
   • Hoists

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Wash with a coat of acid, pressure washing soap, brushing front facing surfaces, then a pressure rinse.
   • Maintain cleanliness of equipment and floor adhering to sanitation regulations.
   • Clean windows, glass partitions and mirrors using soapy water, surface cleaner, sponges and squeegees.

   More truck washer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, truck washers' average salary in mississippi is 38% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level truck washers earn 43% less than senior-level truck washers.
   • Certifications. A truck washer 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 washer's salary.

   Average truck washer salary

   $16.09hourly

   $33,468 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level truck washer salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average truck washer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$37,132	$18
   2	Oregon	$36,307	$17
   3	Wisconsin	$34,800	$17
   4	Montana	$33,276	$16
   5	Pennsylvania	$32,790	$16
   6	Ohio	$32,653	$16
   7	Washington	$32,470	$16
   8	Virginia	$32,444	$16
   9	Iowa	$31,930	$15
   10	Nebraska	$31,865	$15
   11	Colorado	$31,748	$15
   12	Illinois	$31,654	$15
   13	Indiana	$30,911	$15
   14	Nevada	$28,943	$14
   15	South Carolina	$27,704	$13
   16	Arizona	$27,685	$13
   17	Arkansas	$27,004	$13
   18	North Carolina	$26,905	$13
   19	Texas	$26,772	$13
   20	Florida	$26,107	$13

   Average truck washer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cargill	$43,341	$20.84	1
   2	ADM	$43,043	$20.69	22
   3	Tyson Foods	$42,093	$20.24	1
   4	US Foods	$41,458	$19.93	7
   5	Marten Transport	$40,487	$19.46	2
   6	Foster Farms	$40,046	$19.25
   7	Superior Energy Services	$39,303	$18.90
   8	C&S Wholesale Grocers	$38,736	$18.62
   9	Ryder System	$38,729	$18.62	486
   10	Waste Management	$36,723	$17.66	1
   11	Athens Services	$36,411	$17.51	5
   12	Kwik Trip	$35,873	$17.25
   13	Waste Connections	$35,745	$17.19	47
   14	TravelCenters of America	$35,406	$17.02	22
   15	Gordon Food Service	$35,347	$16.99	2
   16	Bulkmatic Transport	$34,924	$16.79
   17	RWC	$34,735	$16.70
   18	Performance Food Group	$33,733	$16.22	59
   19	Shepard	$33,385	$16.05
   20	Darling Ingredients	$33,223	$15.97	8

4. Writing a truck washer job description

   A job description for a truck washer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a truck washer job description:

   Truck washer job description example

   ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITE.
   
   Join Our Community of Food People!
   
   JOIN OUR TRANSPORTATION TEAM! Ready to build a career with a company that's leading the foodservice industry? We help you make it! Truck Washer start at $20 per hour ! Benefits start day one! Schedule: 3pm - 11:30 pm Mon - FriWork with fuel tractors and Thermo-King units.
   Washing exterior of tractors, interior of trailers and moving equipment around the truck yard.
   Check oil, wash windows, check tire pressures and maintain proper fluid levels in tractors and T-K units.
   Report service issues to the maintenance shop.
   Keep track of assigned jobs by logging in and out of the ShopFax maintenance system.
   Maintain a clean and safe work environment in compliance with workplace safety rules and regulations and government guidelines.
   Attend all required company meetings and training. Perform other duties as assigned.
   Ability to comply with EPA and OSHA regulations as pertaining to the shop and fleet.
   Must be able to work outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.
   Must be able to frequently climb up to Thermo-King units.
   Must be able to communicate with co-workers and drivers with demonstrated teamwork skills.
   Must have basic math skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
   Must have Computer experience.
   Must have ability to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends.
   Must be able to work overtime when needed.
   
   #INDNE#INDCREducation/Training:
   High school diploma/GED preferred. Must be able to read, write and communicate in English as it relates to the job and safety regulations.Related Experience/Requirements: Must have a valid state Driver's LicenseAbility to drive and operate Fleet equipment, tractor, trailer and service vehicles. Must have the ability to work Sunday - Thursday PM shift. The position requires overtime as needed, nights, weekends and/or holidays.Physical Requirements:Standing, walking, driving, lifting up to 80 pounds, pushing & pulling, twisting, climbing, stooping/squatting, bending, reaching overhead, ability to work outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.
   
   ***EOE Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right truck washer 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 washer job on Zippia to find and recruit truck washer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting truck washers 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 washer

   Once you've selected the best truck washer 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.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new truck washer. 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.)

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