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.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
SOC: 53-3032 O*NET: 53-3032.00
Median Salary
$57,440
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
237.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,640
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,230
25th percentile
Median
$57,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$65,520
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,800
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,640
25th
$47,230
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$57,440
Mean: $58,400
75th
$65,520
90th
$78,800
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $40,160 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,230 and $65,520
- •Salary spread is 31.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 2,070,480 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,235,100
Top Industries
Truck Transportation43.1%
Wholesale Trade13%
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods8.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4%
Annual Openings:237,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,235,100
Current
2034 (Projected)2,324,400
+4%
+89,300
Employment Change
+4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
212,700 jobs$53,0701.14x
California
211,740 jobs$59,9500.87x
Florida
105,730 jobs$50,0000.80x
Ohio
91,090 jobs$58,0801.23x
Pennsylvania
90,160 jobs$58,5401.12x
Illinois
76,650 jobs$59,7900.94x
Georgia
75,700 jobs$56,5701.16x
North Carolina
64,610 jobs$49,5800.98x
Tennessee
63,130 jobs$55,6101.44x
New York
61,410 jobs$60,5200.48x
Michigan
59,910 jobs$55,1401.02x
Indiana
57,870 jobs$60,0901.35x
Virginia
55,430 jobs$54,5001.02x
Wisconsin
52,980 jobs$57,3801.35x
New Jersey
49,450 jobs$64,7200.87x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Monitoring
82%
#4
Reading Comprehension
74%
#5
Troubleshooting
66%
#6
Time Management
58%
#7
Critical Thinking
48%
#8
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.1
82%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.3
66%
Time Management
basic2.9
58%
Critical Thinking
basic2.4
48%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers80%
5 shared skills
Crane and Tower Operators70%
5 shared skills
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders70%
5 shared skills
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic70%
5 shared skills
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic70%
5 shared skills
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Time Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Training & Development (1)Operations & Execution (2)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.37
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.34
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.30
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.18
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.15
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.97
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Integrity
4.0
Independence
3.9
Concern for Others
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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