Transportation & Logistics career

Truck Driver

Also called: CDL Driver · Tractor-Trailer Driver · OTR Driver · Class A Truck Driver

What truck drivers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a truck driver do?

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods between distribution centers, businesses and customers, inspecting their vehicles, following federal safety rules and delivering freight on time. The median pay is $58,640 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–7 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +3.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $58,640
    $28.19/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.8%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    214,500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    3–7 weeks
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    2,221,200
    Employment, 2025

What truck drivers do

Truck drivers move most of the freight in the United States. Long-haul (over-the-road) drivers spend days or weeks on the road; regional and local drivers come home more often. All drivers inspect their trucks, plan routes, follow hours-of-service rules, keep electronic logs and handle paperwork for every load.

To drive a tractor-trailer you need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), usually Class A. Federal Entry-Level Driver Training rules require new drivers to complete training from a registered provider before taking certain CDL tests. Many programs take three to seven weeks, and many carriers offer paid or company-sponsored training.

Typical duties

  • Inspect trucks and trailers before and after trips
  • Plan routes considering weight, height, traffic and weather
  • Drive safely while following traffic laws and federal regulations
  • Record hours of service with an electronic logging device (ELD)
  • Secure cargo and verify loads against shipping documents
  • Communicate with dispatchers, shippers and receivers
  • Report vehicle defects and incidents

Work environment and schedule

Drivers spend most of the day in the truck cab, sometimes loading or unloading at docks. Long-haul drivers sleep in sleeper berths and may be away from home for long stretches. The job involves sitting for long periods and driving in all weather and traffic.

Schedule: Long-haul drivers often work long days within federal hours-of-service limits and may be away for weeks. Local and regional drivers usually work daily shifts and get home more often, sometimes with early starts.

A day in the life

  1. Complete a 10-hour break, check the ELD and review the load assignment from dispatch.
  2. Perform a pre-trip inspection: lights, tires, brakes, air lines, coupling and fluids.
  3. Depart for a 400-mile run, planning fuel and a 30-minute break.
  4. Take a required break, eat and check traffic ahead.

See a full day in the life of a truck driver →

Truck Driver salary

Half of truck drivers earned more than $58,640 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,140 for the lowest 10% to $79,380 for the top 10%.

Full truck driver pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a truck driver

  1. Meet the requirements
  2. Get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP)
  3. Complete Entry-Level Driver Training
  4. Pass the CDL skills test
  5. Choose your path

You need a CDL, typically Class A, which requires passing knowledge and skills tests and a DOT medical exam. Since 2022, federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules require training from a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before taking certain CDL tests. Programs often take three to seven weeks.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a truck driver →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Commercial vehicle operation
  • Pre-trip inspections
  • Hours-of-service compliance
  • Backing and maneuvering
  • Route planning

People skills

  • Independence and self-discipline
  • Patience and focus
  • Time management
  • Professional communication

All truck driver skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast entry: CDL training in weeks
  • Many openings across the country
  • Independence on the road
  • Options for local, regional, long-haul or owner-operator work

Cons

  • Long hours and time away from home on long-haul routes
  • Sedentary work with health challenges
  • Traffic, weather and tight delivery windows
  • Strict regulations, drug testing and safety scrutiny

Certifications and licenses

  • CDL Class A: Required to drive tractor-trailers; obtained through your state licensing agency.
  • DOT medical card: Federal medical certification required for commercial drivers.
  • Endorsements: Such as H (hazmat), N (tank), T (doubles/triples) and X (tank/hazmat), which open higher-paying loads.
  • TWIC card: Transportation Worker Identification Credential for port access.

Career path

  1. CDL Trainee: Train with an experienced driver.
  2. Company Driver: Haul freight on your own.
  3. Specialized Driver or Driver Trainer: Haul tanker, hazmat or oversize loads, or train new drivers.
  4. Dispatcher, Fleet Manager or Owner-Operator: Manage operations or run your own trucking business.

Learn the job before day one

The training this job requires is CDL Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT): Class A (15 hours, $159.99), available online. Our free resources cover the rest: 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a tractor-trailer pre-trip inspection and plan a run within hours-of-service limits and a practice test.

View Truck Driver trainingIs this career right for me?

Online training for truck drivers

Complete job-title training from our affiliated training provider. Buy online and start right away.

Training for truck drivers
CourseHoursPriceBuy
CDL Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT): Class A
For: Truck Driver (Class A CDL) · 15 hours · English
15$159.99Buy
CDL Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT): Class B
For: Class B CDL Driver · 13 hours · English
13$159.99Buy

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Compare: Truck Driver vs. Forklift Operator · Truck Driver vs. Logistics Coordinator · Truck Driver vs. Diesel Mechanic · Truck Driver vs. Heavy Equipment Operator

Truck Driver FAQ

How long does it take to get a CDL?

Many CDL training programs take three to seven weeks, plus time to pass the knowledge and skills tests.

Can truck drivers get home every night?

Local drivers usually do. Regional drivers often get home weekly, while long-haul drivers may be out for weeks.

How much do truck drivers make?

See the salary page for the latest BLS median and pay range. Pay varies by type of freight, experience and miles; specialized and hazmat drivers often earn more.

How much does a truck driver make?

The median annual wage for truck drivers was $58,640 ($28.19 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,140 and the highest 10% earned more than $79,380.

How long does it take to become a truck driver?

Most people need about 3–7 weeks of training. You need a CDL, typically Class A, which requires passing knowledge and skills tests and a DOT medical exam. Since 2022, federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules require training from a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before taking certain CDL tests. Programs often take three to seven weeks.

Do you need a degree to be a truck driver?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More truck driver questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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