Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
O*NET 53-3032.00 · SOC 53-3032
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver is a solid career choice. Median pay is $59k a year with +3.8% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 214,500 openings a year. AI exposure: Elevated.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Perform pre-trip inspections of tractor-trailer brakes and lights
- →Maneuver 18-wheelers through loading docks and tight spaces
- →Log driving hours and miles in electronic logbooks
- →Secure cargo with straps and chains before departure
- →Report mechanical issues to dispatch after completing routes
Education & How to Get In
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.
Get Started Learning
Ready to start building skills for a career as a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.
Links open in a new tab. Some may include affiliate partnerships.
Work Environment
Hands-on, labs, workshops, or field sites
Mixed, alternates between solo focused work and collaboration
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
Explore More Careers
Job Outlook
Employment of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations. The BLS flags this as a Bright Outlook occupation.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
- ·46% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver make?
The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver earns $59k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver jobs?
Our model puts Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver at 53 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is elevated disruption risk. The main drivers: 40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 46% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress.
Is Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 3.8% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 214,500 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver?
Most Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.
How long does it take to become a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver?
Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
Take the assessment →Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes