Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. They must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). PayThe median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $58,640 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 214,500 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $58,640 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 214,500 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 214,500 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another.
Work Environment
Working as a long-haul truck driver is a lifestyle choice because these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time.
How to Become a Heavy or Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. They must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Pay
The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $58,640 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 214,500 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Working as a long-haul truck driver is a lifestyle choice because these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time.
How to Become a Heavy or Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. They must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Pay
The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $58,640 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 214,500 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.