How to hire a yard jockey

How to hire a yard jockey, step by step

Here's a step-by-step yard jockey hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a yard jockey job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new yard jockey
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a yard jockey do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the yard jockey you need to hire. Certain yard jockey 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 yard jockey 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 shows salaries for various types of yard jockeys.

   Type of Yard Jockey	Description	Hourly rate
   Yard Jockey	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	$15-27
   Driver/Owner Operator	Driver/owner-operators are self-employed commercial truck drivers who operate trucks to transport goods for their customers. Most of these operators started working as drivers for trucking companies to gain experience and decide if it's the right career path for them... Show more	$33-200
   Owner/Operator	Owners/operators manage the business in all aspects, especially in those related to operations. They ensure that every aspect of the business is running smoothly... Show more	$50-126

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Tractor Trailer
   • Work Ethic
   • Dock Doors
   • Customer Service
   • Pallets
   • Safety Regulations
   • Yard Truck
   • Pallet Jack
   • Safety Rules
   • Load Trucks
   • RF
   • Asphalt
   • OSHA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assemble tire orders for loaders.
   • Used RF gun to scan merchandise.
   • Monitor crane operators and remove IBC from freights.
   • Train new hires and new cdl holders on the road operation.
   • Pick up and delivery of freight of all kinds including hazmat.
   • Train new hires and new cdl holders on company policies and procedures.

   More yard jockey duties

3. Make a budget

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

   $44,440yearly

   $21.37 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level yard jockey salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

   Average yard jockey salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$53,795	$26
   2	New York	$50,184	$24
   3	Connecticut	$49,513	$24
   4	Colorado	$48,748	$23
   5	California	$46,227	$22
   6	Nebraska	$46,120	$22
   7	Illinois	$45,772	$22
   8	Arizona	$44,516	$21
   9	Iowa	$44,101	$21
   10	Pennsylvania	$44,020	$21
   11	Kentucky	$43,952	$21
   12	Indiana	$43,480	$21
   13	Ohio	$43,385	$21
   14	Kansas	$43,168	$21
   15	Missouri	$43,100	$21
   16	Tennessee	$42,401	$20
   17	Oklahoma	$40,686	$20
   18	Alabama	$40,674	$20
   19	North Carolina	$40,475	$19
   20	Georgia	$40,472	$19

   Average yard jockey salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Fortune Brands Home & Security	$52,536	$25.26
   2	Ryder System	$51,198	$24.61	5
   3	Exel Inc.	$51,189	$24.61
   4	Wells Enterprises	$51,157	$24.59
   5	Tempur Sealy International	$51,081	$24.56
   6	XPO Logistics	$50,902	$24.47
   7	Dairy Farmers of America	$49,612	$23.85	13
   8	Taylor Farms	$49,501	$23.80
   9	Dayton Freight	$48,978	$23.55
   10	R+L Carriers	$48,845	$23.48
   11	United Natural Foods	$48,253	$23.20	2
   12	Chico's FAS	$47,993	$23.07
   13	Sauder's Eggs	$47,763	$22.96
   14	Arconic	$47,680	$22.92
   15	Clean Harbors	$47,583	$22.88	3
   16	Estes Express Lines	$47,454	$22.81	24
   17	Adidas America	$47,331	$22.76
   18	Klosterman Bread	$47,235	$22.71
   19	Cott	$47,157	$22.67
   20	Harsco	$46,794	$22.50

4. Writing a yard jockey job description

   A good yard jockey 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 yard jockey job description:

   Yard jockey job description example

   This position is responsible for providing support for trailer movement at the distribution center, as well as assisting preparation of trailers for shipping and monitoring the status of loaded trailers.
   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
   Other duties may be assigned. A teammate in this position must have the ability to:
   Drive tractor or yard truck, maneuvering into position to attach trailer and handle lines to secure. Clean and spot trailers to specified doors or lot locations. Fuel tractor or trailer and at times wash the equipment. Inspect trailers for defects. Back LTL or drop trailers into designated receiving door. Inspect loaded trailers to ensure product is secure for undamaged transport of product and that refrigeration unit is functioning: report any issues to Operations Manager or Warehouse Lead. Drive tractor-trailer within yard or within short distances outside of yard (only if have CDL), applying knowledge of commercial driving regulations and skill in maneuvering on the road and on company premises. Ability and willingness to select/load/unload and/or deliver ALL products that may be ordered by our customers.
   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
   A teammate in this position must:
   Have a High School Diploma or equivalent. Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) required. Have accident free driving record for the past three years desired. Be able to read and comprehend an extensive variety of related written instructions. Be able to understand equipment ID numbering system. Be able to stand, walk, sit, climb, reach, bend, squat, and stoop to accomplish the essential job functions. Comply with company work rules and safety rules. Insure attendance and punctuality within company standards. Be able to lift, lower, carry, push, pull dividers and bulkheads inside trailers.
   WORKING CONDITIONS:
   The environment encompasses all areas of a Distribution Center, Transportation Department, or Transportation shop. This position requires the teammate to work outside majority of the time. May require working in hot and cold temperature extremes, exposure to dust, dirt, fumes, noise, potentially harmful chemicals, solvents and components. Working conditions could contain moderate noise, vibration of vehicle and extreme weather conditions depending on climate. Must be able to drive tractor or yard truck safely in adverse conditions, including darkness, rain, wind, snow, or ice. Closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times
   Candidates may be subject to a background check and drug screen, in accordance with applicable laws.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find yard jockeys 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 yard jockeys they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level yard jockeys 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 yard jockey job on Zippia to find and recruit yard jockey candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit yard jockeys, 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 yard jockey

   Once you've decided on a perfect yard jockey 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.

   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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new yard jockey. 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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How much does it cost to hire a yard jockey?