What does a truck driver do? Duties, pay, education and outlook

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers move goods from one place to another, usually in trucks over 26,000 pounds and often on routes that cross several states. The job requires a commercial driver's license (CDL). The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median of $58,640 per year (May 2025).

At a glance

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 31 October 2026.

What the job is and what truck drivers do

A heavy truck driver is responsible for getting freight to its destination safely and on time. Most are long-haul drivers who run intercity routes. Day to day, the work includes:

• Driving long distances, often across state lines.
• Securing cargo and checking that loads are stable.
• Inspecting the truck and trailer before and during a trip.
• Keeping logs of the hours they drive and rest.
• Reporting accidents, delays and serious mechanical problems.

Local and regional routes exist too, which matters if you want to be home more often. The employer, route and type of freight shape the schedule far more than the job title does.

Work environment

Truck drivers work in many parts of the economy. In 2025 the largest employers were truck transportation (40 percent of jobs), wholesale trade (12 percent), self-employed workers (7 percent), manufacturing (7 percent) and construction (6 percent).

BLS describes long-haul driving as a lifestyle choice because drivers can be away from home for days or weeks. It also notes that truck driving has one of the highest rates of injury and illness and one of the highest occupational fatality rates, so safety habits and rest matter. Federal rules limit driving to 11 hours within a 14-hour workday, to 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, and require a 34-hour reset.

Education, training and licensing

• Education. Most companies want a high school diploma or equivalent. Many drivers also complete a private truck-driving school or a community college program, typically 3 to 6 months.
• CDL. You need a commercial driver's license. Requirements vary by state but generally include a knowledge test and a driving test. A state can refuse a CDL to someone whose license was suspended by another state.
• Endorsements. Drivers who haul hazardous materials need an H endorsement, which adds a knowledge test and a background check.
• Keeping the license. Federal rules require a clean driving record and a physical exam every two years. Random drug and alcohol testing applies. A DUI or a felony involving a motor vehicle can lead to suspension.
• On-the-job training. After hiring, new drivers usually spend several weeks with an experienced mentor driver.

Skills that matter

BLS lists hand-eye coordination, hearing, physical health and vision as the qualities that drivers need. Federal standards require, for example, hearing a forced whisper at 5 feet in at least one ear (a hearing aid is allowed) and vision of at least 20/40 with a 70-degree field of view in each eye. Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, can disqualify a driver if they could interfere with safe driving.

O*NET lists operation and control, operations monitoring, time management and troubleshooting as transferable skills, and route navigation and inventory software among the tools used. Describe these concretely on your resume, for example miles driven safely, routes run and cargo types handled.

Pay

BLS reports a median of $58,640 per year (May 2025) for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,140 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,380 (May 2025). Check the OOH pay tab and the OEWS data for your state and metro area, then see how to research salary and how to negotiate.

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, as fast as the average for all occupations, an increase of about 83,800 jobs. About 214,500 openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade, many from drivers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

How to get hired

1. Choose your lane: long haul, regional or local, and the freight type.
2. Complete a training program and pass the CDL tests in your state, adding endorsements the employers near you ask for.
3. Keep your driving record and medical card current, since employers screen for both.
4. Write a resume that passes applicant tracking systems listing your license class, endorsements and safety record.
5. Use a structured plan from find a job fast and prepare with interview practice.
6. Search jobs on LiveRec and apply to openings that match your license and schedule.

Related occupations

Bus drivers, delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers, hand laborers and material movers, material recording clerks, railroad workers, and water transportation workers.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a CDL to be a heavy truck driver? Yes. BLS says heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers must have a commercial driver's license, and the exact steps vary by state.

How long does it take to become a truck driver? Many drivers attend a program that lasts 3 to 6 months, then train with a mentor driver for several weeks after being hired.

What does a truck driver earn? BLS reports a median of $58,640 per year (May 2025). Your pay depends on route, experience, employer and location.

Is truck driving a growing field? BLS projects 4 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Sources

• BLS, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
• BLS, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
• O*NET OnLine, 53-3032.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-3032.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.