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GraduateSmart
Compare trade training routes
Compare trade-school and apprenticeship routes. Check each program’s training length, pay, tuition, fees, and local licensing requirements.
Transport goods over long distances by operating large motor vehicles. Drive a tractor-trailer combination or other heavy truck and may be required to unload it on arrival. Requires a commercial driver's license.
$42,000
Lower reported wage
$57,440
Median
$78,800
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →A CDL is required for heavy tractor-trailer driving; endorsements and medical qualifications depend on cargo and route. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
About license data coverageU.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
Direct match Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (53-3032). Median $57,440.
Illustration: AI-generated image · Illustrative scene
Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Compare school tuition, license and endorsement fees, medical checks, paid training, and any employer repayment contract.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
A direct training route; compare CDL test preparation, employer contracts, and total cost. [1]
Transport goods in heavy trucks, inspect vehicles, plan routes, and keep required records. [1]
Drivers work on local, regional, or long-distance routes, often spending much of the day in the cab. [1]
Long-haul work can mean nights away from home; hours are limited by driving and rest rules. [1]
Prolonged sitting, traffic, weather, loading tasks, and strict safety checks require stamina and attention. [1]
Experience may open specialized cargo, trainer, dispatch, or owner-operator routes with different costs and rules. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.