Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to increase by 3.8% between 2024 and 2034, from 2,221,200 to 2,305,000 jobs. Its estimate of 214,500 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($58,640), education (Postsecondary nondegree award), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
2,221,200
Projected employment (2034)
2,305,000
Projected change (2024–2034)
4%
Annual openings (projected average)
214,500
Pay & Preparation
$58,640
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (3.75/5) • Operation and Control (3.75/5) • Monitoring (3.12/5) • Speaking (3/5) • Time Management (3/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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