Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
SOC code 53-3032 · O*NET-SOC 53-3032.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Long-haul trucking needs a commercial driver's licence rather than a degree, and CDL school runs weeks rather than years. Pay varies enormously by route type — dedicated and specialised freight pays far above general haulage.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$58,640
a year
Hourly
$28.19
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$59,710
$28.71 per hour
Middle 50%
$47,960 – $69,120
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$40,140 – $79,380
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
2,062,040
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $40,140
- $19.30/hr
- 25th percentile
- $47,960
- $23.06/hr
- Median percentile
- $58,640
- $28.19/hr
- 75th percentile
- $69,120
- $33.23/hr
- 90th percentile
- $79,380
- $38.17/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
2,235,100
jobs in 2024
2,324,400
projected for 2034
About 89,300 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
- Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
- Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
- Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
- Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
- Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
- Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
- Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 54% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)54%
- Less than a High School Diploma26%
- Post-Secondary Certificate19%
- Some College Courses1%
Common questions
How much does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn?
The national median is $58,640 a year. The full range runs from $40,140 at the 10th percentile to $79,380 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Active Listening2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation4.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Law and Government3.0/5
- Mechanical2.8/5
- Telecommunications2.8/5
- Education and Training2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Troubleshooting, Time Management, Equipment Maintenance.