Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

At a Glance

Median Salary
$45,604

Local Jobs
3,510

Entry-Level Education
High School

Occupation Profile

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license. Includes tow truck drivers.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$45,604

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

3,510

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

High School

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks.
Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary.
Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.
Remove debris from loaded trailers.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?

Hard Skills

Commercial Driving
Dry Van Truck Operation
Flatbed Truck Operation
Forklift Truck
Oil And Gas
Pre-Trip And Post-Trip Vehicle Inspections
Supply And Demand
Tanker Truck Operation
Truck Driving
Warehousing

Soft Skills

Cleanliness
Communications
Customer Service
Good Driving Record
Lifting Ability
Loading And Unloading
Management
Operations
Professionalism
Valid Driver's License

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

Del Mar College