- Job Definition
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Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 GVW, to transport and deliver goods, livestock, or materials in liquid, loose, or packaged form. May be required to unload truck. May require use of automated routing equipment. Requires commercial drivers' license.
- Job Zone
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Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
- Interests
- 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.
- 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.
- Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Knowledge
- Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- 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.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Skills
- Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Tasks
- Climb ladders to inspect loads after loading is complete, in order to ensure that cargo is secure.
- Follow special procedures related to specific cargo, such as checking refrigeration systems when carrying frozen foods, or providing food and water when carrying livestock.
- Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers.
- Install and remove special equipment such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, and sanders.
- Collaborate with other drivers as part of a driving team on some trips.
- Perform emergency roadside repairs such as changing tires and installing light bulbs, tire chains, and spark plugs.
- Place empty carts and pallets in trailers so they will be available to facilitate placement and movement of goods.
- Operate trucks equipped with snowplows and sander attachments to maintain roads in winter weather.
- Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
- Operate equipment such as truck cab computers, CB radios, and telephones to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
- Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
- Crank trailer landing gear up and down to safely secure vehicles.
- Wrap goods using pads, packing paper, and containers, and secure loads to trailer walls, using straps.
- Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks such as adding oil, fuel, and radiator fluid, or performing minor repairs.
- Load and unload trucks, or help others with loading and unloading, operating any special loading-related equipment on vehicles and using other equipment as necessary.
- Wages
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In 2008, the California average annual wage was $41,430.00.
Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $27,290.00 and $57,760.00.
- Outlook
During 2006, there were approximately 147,300 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 168,900 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 2,160 openings due to growth and about 2,610 replacement openings for approximately 4,770 total annual openings. This occupation .
- Colleges and Training
- Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
- Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operation - A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and buses, delivery vehicles, for-hire vehicles and other commercial vehicles. Includes instruction in operating gas, diesel, or electrically-powered vehicles; loading and unloading cargo or passengers; reporting delays or accidents on the road; verifying load against shipping papers; arranging transportation for personnel; and keeping records of receipts and fares.
- Similar Occupations
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity - Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
- Bus Drivers, School - Transport students or special clients, such as the elderly or persons with disabilities. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist passengers in boarding or exiting.
- Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services - Drive a truck or van with a capacity of under 26,000 GVW, primarily to deliver or pick up merchandise or to deliver packages within a specified area. May require use of automatic routing or location software. May load and unload truck.
- Locomotive Engineers - Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers - Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators - Operate railroad track switches. Couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Signal engineers by hand or flagging. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes.
- Motorboat Operators - Operate small motor-driven boats to carry passengers and freight between ships, or ship to shore. May patrol harbors and beach areas. May assist in navigational activities.
- Bridge and Lock Tenders - Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock tenders and operators, and slip bridge operators.
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators - Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
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- Job Openings
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