Job Description: Heavy Truck Drivers operate gasoline and diesel powered tractor-trailers weighing from 6,000 to a maximum limit of 20,000 pounds per axle. They may work for a trucking company, firms specializing in distribution of certain products, and companies engaged in retail or wholesale trade. Governmental agencies may operate fleets of large trucks. Drivers may pick up their loads from factories or cargo terminals and deliver them to wholesale and retail firms, homes, schools, and other destinations. Some are long-distance drivers and others drive only local routes. At destinations, drivers unload their cargo, sometimes using a helper.
Wages - Statewide:
To give you an idea of how much you might earn, we have given you the average hourly wages and average yearly wages for this career throughout California. Wages can vary greatly in different parts of the State.
Hourly Average Wages:
$
40,861
Yearly Average Wages:
$
40,861
Source: California Occupational Employment and Wage Data, 2008
Job Openings:
An average of 5180 job openings will be available statewide per year. The number of openings includes both new jobs and replacement openings as workers leave the occupation.
Source: California Occupational Employment Projections 2004 - 2014
Where to get training locally: Shop and auto mechanics courses in high schools, community colleges, vocational schools and courses in accredited truck driving schools.
To find training programs in your area you can check the LaborMarketInfo Web site at
