Hiring guide · Transportation & Logistics
How to Hire a Truck Driver
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring truck drivers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $58,640), recruit through CDL schools and trucking academies, verify CDL Class A where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for truck drivers
There are about 2,221,200 truck drivers employed in the U.S., with roughly 214,500 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +3.8% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $40,140–$47,960 | $19.30–$23.06 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $69,120 | $33.23 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $79,380 | $38.16 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Postsecondary nondegree award (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Commercial vehicle operation
- Independence and self-discipline
Nice-to-haves
- CDL Class A
- DOT medical card
- Endorsements
- Experience with tractor-trailers and sleeper cabs
Where to find truck drivers
- CDL schools and trucking academies
- Local workforce centers and staffing partners
- Military transition programs
- Referral bonuses for current drivers and associates
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: CDL Driver, Tractor-Trailer Driver, OTR Driver, Class A Truck Driver
Screening checklist
- CDL, endorsements and DOT medical card for drivers
- Motor vehicle record and FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse query for CDL drivers
- Forklift operator training and evaluation, which OSHA requires employers to provide
- Pre-employment drug screening according to policy and law
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Do you have a clean driving record and a current DOT medical card?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer directly; be honest about any issues.
2. “Walk me through your pre-trip inspection.”
What a strong answer includes: Describe your systematic routine.
3. “How do you handle bad weather?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain slowing down, increasing following distance and stopping when unsafe.
4. “How would you deal with a late load or a customer delay?”
What a strong answer includes: Show professionalism and proactive communication with dispatch.
5. “What type of driving are you looking for?”
What a strong answer includes: Be clear about local, regional or long-haul preferences.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Perform a Tractor-Trailer Pre-Trip Inspection (see the steps)
- Plan a Run Within Hours-of-Service Limits (see the steps)
- Back a Trailer into a Dock (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as CDL, ELDT, Hours of service (HOS)
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Truck Driver 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Truck Driver training. Show them the path forward: CDL Trainee → Company Driver → Specialized Driver or Driver Trainer → Dispatcher, Fleet Manager or Owner-Operator.
Hiring truck drivers: FAQ
How much should I pay a truck driver?
The U.S. median wage for truck drivers is $58,640 per year ($28.19/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($47,960), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($69,120). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a truck driver have?
BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education. Look for CDL Class A and DOT medical card where relevant, plus skills such as commercial vehicle operation, pre-trip inspections, and hours-of-service compliance.
How long does it take to train a new truck driver?
Becoming qualified typically takes 3–7 weeks. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”