Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Also called: Driver, Line Haul Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Truck DriverDrive 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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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 8 of its 29 tasks, and jobs are projected to grow 3.8% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 4.3% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Driver/sales workers and truck drivers”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 9.0 hires for every 10 job openings in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, which employs about 58% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.9.0 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,120 | $44,640 to $64,870 | 36,650 |
| Alaska | $70,100 | $60,500 to $78,060 | 3,420 |
| Arizona | $58,080 | $47,550 to $65,580 | 40,150 |
| Arkansas | $51,550 | $44,650 to $69,700 | 32,220 |
| California | $60,230 | $48,740 to $72,330 | 205,090 |
| Colorado | $61,500 | $53,490 to $70,220 | 25,350 |
| Connecticut | $60,490 | $51,590 to $69,970 | 15,740 |
| Delaware | $57,590 | $53,570 to $58,900 | 9,040 |
| District of Columbia | $64,170 | $58,850 to $74,440 | 830 |
| Florida | $50,640 | $45,500 to $62,380 | 112,920 |
| Georgia | $57,050 | $45,700 to $68,780 | 74,840 |
| Guam | $38,760 | $35,680 to $46,230 | 480 |
| Hawaii | $59,820 | $52,520 to $64,910 | 4,070 |
| Idaho | $58,770 | $48,150 to $64,260 | 15,920 |
| Illinois | $60,320 | $48,550 to $75,600 | 84,200 |
| Indiana | $60,290 | $49,390 to $72,260 | 59,090 |
| Iowa | $58,070 | $48,350 to $64,190 | 35,040 |
| Kansas | $58,920 | $48,430 to $71,080 | 24,220 |
| Kentucky | $56,340 | $47,810 to $70,020 | 31,760 |
| Louisiana | $49,320 | $44,330 to $58,780 | 28,540 |
| Maine | $57,050 | $48,020 to $62,210 | 9,980 |
| Maryland | $59,360 | $49,640 to $69,270 | 29,150 |
| Massachusetts | $63,030 | $56,320 to $72,150 | 30,890 |
| Michigan | $57,180 | $47,600 to $62,060 | 60,800 |
| Minnesota | $61,990 | $50,730 to $73,700 | 38,770 |
| Mississippi | $51,820 | $43,520 to $63,630 | 24,160 |
| Missouri | $54,550 | $46,140 to $63,400 | 47,760 |
| Montana | $58,870 | $50,620 to $63,660 | 7,830 |
| Nebraska | $58,390 | $47,020 to $75,830 | 23,160 |
| Nevada | $62,290 | $52,420 to $75,890 | 15,010 |
| New Hampshire | $60,280 | $52,380 to $65,140 | 6,960 |
| New Jersey | $63,570 | $57,400 to $76,450 | 47,980 |
| New Mexico | $50,500 | $46,370 to $60,320 | 11,820 |
| New York | $62,050 | $55,550 to $74,040 | 63,700 |
| North Carolina | $51,530 | $46,320 to $62,640 | 62,400 |
| North Dakota | $60,910 | $52,310 to $67,110 | 11,870 |
| Ohio | $59,800 | $49,260 to $71,260 | 83,060 |
| Oklahoma | $54,410 | $45,710 to $70,950 | 27,840 |
| Oregon | $61,980 | $54,870 to $72,870 | 23,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,580 | $49,570 to $65,830 | 87,550 |
| Puerto Rico | $25,510 | $23,120 to $28,260 | 10,480 |
| Rhode Island | $60,190 | $50,330 to $64,250 | 3,620 |
| South Carolina | $51,130 | $46,290 to $62,660 | 34,170 |
| South Dakota | $58,690 | $48,370 to $64,480 | 6,470 |
| Tennessee | $58,620 | $47,740 to $73,420 | 64,890 |
| Texas | $56,290 | $46,680 to $64,820 | 209,680 |
| Utah | $60,620 | $50,340 to $68,460 | 25,060 |
| Vermont | $60,830 | $52,120 to $64,900 | 3,560 |
| Virgin Islands | $43,270 | $37,970 to $48,790 | 240 |
| Virginia | $56,860 | $46,880 to $63,200 | 48,750 |
| Washington | $64,760 | $59,450 to $75,530 | 40,530 |
| West Virginia | $49,480 | $43,330 to $58,720 | 12,190 |
| Wisconsin | $58,610 | $49,400 to $63,870 | 53,330 |
| Wyoming | $60,310 | $50,450 to $73,000 | 6,050 |
Nationally: $58,640. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 8 of its 29 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order. | Not published |
| AI + software | Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations. | Not published |
| Not much | Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks. | Not published |
| Not much | Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned. | Not published |
| AI + software | Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy. | under 0.01% |
See all 29 tasks
| AI + software | Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure. | Not published |
| AI + software | Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes. | Not published |
| AI alone | Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers. | Not published |
| Not much | Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials. | Not published |
| Not much | Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles. | Not published |
| Not much | Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks. | Not published |
| Not much | Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required. | Not published |
| AI + software | Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes. | Not published |
| AI + software | Read bills of lading to determine assignment details. | Not published |
| Not much | Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage. | Not published |
| Not much | Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations. | Not published |
| Not much | Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary. | Not published |
| Not much | Remove debris from loaded trailers. | Not published |
| Not much | Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers. | Not published |
| Not much | Inventory and inspect goods to be moved to determine quantities and conditions. | Not published |
| Not much | Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods. | Not published |
| Not much | Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs. | Not published |
| Not much | Wrap and secure goods using pads, packing paper, containers, or straps. | Not published |
| Not much | Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers. | Not published |
| Not much | Operate idle reduction systems or auxiliary power systems to generate power from alternative sources, such as fuel cells, to reduce idling time, to heat or cool truck cabins, or to provide power for other equipment. | Not published |
| Not much | Install or remove special equipment, such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, or sanders. | Not published |
| Not much | Follow special cargo-related procedures, such as checking refrigeration systems for frozen foods or providing food or water for livestock. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 2 of the 29 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 29 tasks fall under 22 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #36 Purchase goods or services
- #37 Determine operational methods or procedures
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate transportation equipment or vehicles | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing | |||
| Inspect facilities or equipment | |||
| Maintain vehicles in working condition | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Determine operational methods or procedures | |||
| Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data |
Show all 22 activities
| Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance | |||
| Plan work activities | |||
| Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools | |||
| Operate communications equipment or systems | |||
| Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance | |||
| Dispose of waste or debris | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Notify others of emergencies or problems | |||
| Assemble equipment or components | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Package objects | |||
| Inspect vehicles | |||
| Collect fares or payments | |||
| Operate energy production or distribution equipment |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A plan or strategy26%
- Advice or a recommendation21%
- A document or report10%
- An analysis or summary9%
- Data or a spreadsheet4%
How they worked with Claude
56% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 883,466 moves out
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 2 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 4%
- 3 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products Very high -0.9% 3%
- 4 Sales Managers High +4.5% 3%
- 5 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 2%
Where people moved in from
of 1,223,635 moves in
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 2 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 3%
- 3 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products Very high -0.9% 3%
- 4 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers High -3.7% 3%
- 5 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 2%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 26% less than high school
- 54% high school
- 19% postsecondary certificate
- 1% some college
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 33 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 14% less than high school
- 47% high school
- 23% some college
- 7% associate's
- 7% bachelor's
- 1% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Driver/sales workers and truck drivers” · 36,943 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Driver/sales workers and truck drivers”
1 program: Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
>99.5% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 99.5% | 19.1% |
| a certification | not published | |
| an educational certificate | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 7 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/53-3032.00