| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Read bills of lading to determine assignment details. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Remove debris from loaded trailers. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs. |
Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs ![]()
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 426 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Drive 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.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
1,951,600U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
2,073,600
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
122,100 (6.3%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
231,100
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Inventory and inspect goods to be moved to determine quantities and conditions. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods. |
| Importance: 50 (%) | Description: Wrap and secure goods using pads, packing paper, containers, or straps. |
| Importance: 50 (%) | Description: Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers. |
| Importance: 47 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 37 (%) | Description: Install or remove special equipment, such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, or sanders. |
| Importance: 30 (%) | Description: Follow special cargo-related procedures, such as checking refrigeration systems for frozen foods or providing food or water for livestock. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Acquire supplies or equipment. | |
| Adjust routes or speeds as necessary. | |
| Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds. | |
| Collect fares or payment from customers. | |
| Connect cables or electrical lines. | |
| Direct material handling or moving activities. | |
| Follow safety procedures for vehicle operation. | |
| Inspect cargo areas for cleanliness or condition. | |
| Inspect cargo to ensure it is properly loaded or secured. | |
| Inspect motor vehicles. | |
| Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment. | |
| Load shipments, belongings, or materials. | |
| Maintain vehicles in good working condition. | |
| Monitor cargo area conditions. | |
| Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards. | |
| Operate communications equipment or systems. | |
| Operate green energy production equipment. | |
| Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment. | |
| Package materials or products. | |
| Read maps to determine routes. | |
| Record operational or production data. | |
| Record service or repair activities. | |
| Remove debris or damaged materials. | |
| Report vehicle or equipment malfunctions. | |
| Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations. | |
| Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures. | |
| Secure cargo. | |
| Verify information or specifications. | |
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Assemble equipment or components. |
| Activity: Collect fares or payments. |
| Activity: Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools. |
| Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Dispose of waste or debris. |
| Activity: Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data. |
| Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance. |
| Activity: Inspect facilities or equipment. |
| Activity: Inspect vehicles. |
| Activity: Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Maintain vehicles in working condition. |
| Activity: Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance. |
| Activity: Notify others of emergencies or problems. |
| Activity: Operate communications equipment or systems. |
| Activity: Operate energy production or distribution equipment. |
| Activity: Operate transportation equipment or vehicles. |
| Activity: Package objects. |
| Activity: Plan work activities. |
| Activity: Purchase goods or services. |
| Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Microsoft Outlook |
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: |
| SAP software |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Operating system software: |
| Microsoft Windows |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software: |
| Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Analytical or scientific software: |
| Omnitracs Performance Monitoring |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| ddlsoftware.com drivers daily log program DDL Fog Line Software Truckn Pro TruckersHelper |
| Desktop communications software: |
| Eko |
| Inventory management software: |
| Computerized inventory tracking software Inventory tracking software |
| Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software: |
| PeopleNet |
| Route navigation software: |
| ALK Technologies PC*Miler MarcoSoft Quo Vadis |
| Time accounting software: |
| ADP ezLaborManager |
| Video creation and editing software: |
| YouTube |
| Word processing software: |
| 3M Post-it App Evernote |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. |
| These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 54.3 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 25.9 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 18.5 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.2 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 39.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 31.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 6.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month |
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials | |
|
Commercial Driver License (CDL) | |
|
Double/Triple Trailer Endorsement (T) | |
|
Hazardous Material Endorsement (H) | |
|
Passenger Endorsement (P) | |
|
Tank Vehicle Endorsement (N) | |
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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|
American Trucking Association (ATA) | |
|
International Brotherhood of Teamsters | |
|
NTEA, the Association for the Work Truck Industry | |
|
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) | |
|
Professional Truck Driver Institute | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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