What they do
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.
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Also called: |
Driver, Line Haul Driver, Log Truck Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Production Truck Driver, Road Driver, Semi Truck Driver, Tractor Trailer Operator, Truck Driver
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Wages
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Vermont - 2021 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 17.97 |
$37,380 |
25% |
$ 22.24 |
$46,260 |
Median |
$ 23.52 |
$48,920 |
75% |
$ 29.18 |
$60,690 |
90% |
$ 30.35 |
$63,120 |
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Average |
$ 24.59 |
$51,150 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2018 |
Industry | Percent of total |
| 45% |
- Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods
| 7% |
| 6% |
- Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
| 4% |
- Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing
| 4% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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- Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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- Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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- Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
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- Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Self Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2018 employment |
3,942 |
2028 employment |
3,878 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
-0.2% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
439 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Postsecondary non-degree award
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Short-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Job Zone
Some Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(4.0 to < 6.0) - A typical worker will require
over 3 months up to and including 1 year
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level |  | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate |  | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate |  | 5% |
Bachelor's degree |  | 0% |
Associate's degree |  | 1% |
Certificate or some college, no degree |  | 19% |
High school diploma or equivalent |  | 56% |
Less than high school diploma |  | 19% |
More at O*NET |
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Licensing
Vermont may require an occupational license: |
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Select a license for details |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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- Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance.
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- Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
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- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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- Reaction Time
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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- Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
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- Follow safety procedures for vehicle operation.
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- Inspect cargo to ensure it is properly loaded or secured.
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- Record operational or production data.
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- Record service or repair activities.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
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- Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
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- Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
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- Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
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- Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
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More at O*NET |
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