Skip to content
LaunchPoint · Career Worlds
← Back to Skilled Trades

Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer

Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.

Typical pay
$54,320/yr
Education
High school diploma + CDL (commercial driving) | On-the-job training | Some roles requi…
Outlook
↗ Steady

Why this matters in Skilled Trades

Big projects need operators and inspectors.

What you’d actually do

Inspect trucks before and after trips, plan routes and schedules, load and unload cargo or oversee loading, drive long distances following hours-of-service regulations, maintain logbooks, refuel the truck, and deliver freight to warehouses, distribution centers, and businesses.

You might like this career if…

  • solving problems. …are reliable
  • growing.

What can I do right now?

  • Take relevant classes. 2) Join an activity/club. 3) Build 2–3 small projects or experiences. 4) Get feedback from a pro. 5) Add one credential or micro-course. 6) Apply for a summer experience.

How this career can grow

Many careers advance from entry-level roles → specialist → lead/supervisor → manager/director. Leadership, credentials, and strong results accelerate growth.

Related careers

Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operators drive and control large construction machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, cranes, and lo…

$52,000/yrApprenticeship (very common) | Trade school certificate | Licensure (varies by trade)↗ Steady

Construction and building inspectors

Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).

$72,120/yrApprenticeship (very common) | Trade school certificate | Licensure (varies by trade)↓ Declining

Public safety telecommunicators

Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).

$50,730/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↗ Steady

Stationary engineers and boiler operators

Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).

$75,190/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)→ Limited Growth

Gas plant operators

Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).

$83,400/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↓ Declining

Is this career right for you?

Career Worlds shows you what’s possible. LaunchPoint Navigator helps you figure out which careers actually fit you — and how to get there.

Explore My Fit →