Occupation Profile

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Heavy Truck Drivers
(SOC Code : 53-3032)
in California

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.

Employers usually expect an employee in this occupation to be able to do the job after Moderate-term on-the-job training (1-12 months) .

Occupational Wages[Top]
AreaYearPeriodHourly MeanHourly by Percentile
25thMedian75th
California 20231st Qtr$27.44$22.19$26.00$31.06

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")[Top]
 AreaEstimated Year-Projected YearEmploymentEmployment ChangeTotal Job Openings
EstimatedProjectedNumberPercent
California 2018 - 2028160,800185,20024,40015.2221,060

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange[Top]
 
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Possible Licenses Required and Issuing Authority[Top]
License Title
License Authority
Commercial Driver LicenseDepartment of Motor Vehicles
Licensing Operations Division
Commercial Licensing Policy Section
http://www.dmv.ca.gov

About Licenses
 

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)[Top]
Industry Title
Number of Employers in State of California
Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California
General Freight Trucking 3,90030.1%
Specialized Freight Trucking 11,15914.3%
Grocery and Related Product Merc4,2725.6%
Support Activities, Road Transportation 2,5724.6%
Warehousing and Storage 1,7163.9%
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Mfg 9983.1%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting11,4952.7%
Waste Management and Remediation S3,1192.0%
Employment Services5,0961.6%
Building Material and Supplies D14,3301.3%
Other Specialty Trade Contractor11,0091.0%

About Staffing Patterns
 

Training Programs (click on title for more information)[Top]
Program Title
Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instruc

About Training & Apprenticeships
 

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)[Top]
Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)
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.
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.
Drive electric or hybrid-electric powered trucks or alternative fuel-powered trucks to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.

More Tasks for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers


Top Skills used in this Job
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management - Managing one`s own time and the time of others.
Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

More Skills for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers


Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)
Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Response Orientation - The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

More Abilities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers


Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)
Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.
Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

More WorkValues for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers


Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)
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.

More Interests for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers


Alternate Titles
Over the Road Drivers; Line Haul Drivers; Long Haul Truck Drivers; Owner Operators; Flatbed Truck Drivers; and Commercial Trailer Truck Drivers
 
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