Occupation salary profile

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

SOC 53-3032 BLS OEWS May 2025

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. Excludes “Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors” (53-7081).

National median · BLS
$58,640
▲ +2.09% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$59,710
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
2,062,040
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$40,140
25th$47,960
Median (50th)$58,640
75th$69,120
90th — top pay$79,380

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

BLS projects employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 214,500 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
2,221,200 → 2,305,000
+83,800 jobs
Projected change
+3.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
214,500
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
7.3% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a postsecondary certificate (nondegree award) →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Operation and Control3.8
  • Operations Monitoring3.8
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Critical Thinking3.0
  • Reading Comprehension3.0
  • Speaking3.0
  • Time Management3.0
  • Troubleshooting3.0
  • Active Listening2.9
  • Equipment Maintenance2.9
Top knowledge areas
  • Transportation4.0
  • Public Safety and Security3.9
  • Customer and Personal Service3.7
  • English Language3.6
  • Law and Government3.0
  • Mechanical2.8
  • Telecommunications2.8
  • Education and Training2.8
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSAP software3M Post-it AppADP ezLaborManagerALK Technologies PC*MilerComputerized inventory tracking softwareddlsoftware.com drivers daily log program DDLEkoEvernoteFog Line Software Truckn ProInventory tracking softwareMarcoSoft Quo VadisOmnitracs Performance MonitoringPeopleNet

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers do

  • 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.
  • Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
  • Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
Also called
DriverLine Haul DriverOver the Road Driver (OTR Driver)Truck DriverCDL Driver (Commercial Driver's License Driver)Log Truck DriverProduction Truck DriverRoad DriverSemi Truck DriverTractor Trailer Driver
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Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.