National
| Median wages (2008) |
$17.92 hourly, $37,270 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
1,860,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
523,000 additional employees |
53-3032.00 - Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 GVW, to transport and deliver goods, livestock, or materials in liquid, loose, or packaged form. May be required to unload truck. May require use of automated routing equipment. Requires commercial drivers' license.
Sample of reported job titles:
Truck Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Line Haul Driver, Delivery Driver, Owner Operator, Road Driver, City Driver, Feeder Driver, Flatbed Truck Driver, Pick Up and Delivery Driver (P & D Driver)
Tasks
- Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
- Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
- Maintain logs of working hours and of vehicle service and repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
- Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
- Check all load-related documentation to ensure that it is complete and accurate.
- Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
- Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
- Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
- Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
- Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Flatbed trailers — Lowboy trailers; Tilt trailers |
| Global positioning system receivers — Global positioning system GPS devices |
| Location based messaging service platforms — Satellite linkup systems |
| Snowplow attachments — Plow attachments |
| Telescoping boom lift — Telescoping boom trucks |
| Trailer hitches — Sliding fifth wheels; Sliding tandem axles |
| Wheel loaders — Wheeled loaders |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Easy Trucker software; Fog Line Software Truckn2004; Truckers Helper software |
| Inventory management software — Computerized inventory tracking software |
| Route navigation software — ALK Technologies PC*Miler; MarcoSoft Quo Vadis |
