Truck Drivers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Truck Drivers drive heavy trucks, removal vans, tankers and tow trucks to transport bulky goods and liquids.
Tasks
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manoeuvring vehicles into position for loading and unloading
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loading and unloading vehicles using lifting and tipping devices
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observing safety requirements when loading and unloading vehicles
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making regular quality checks of vehicles to ensure they can be driven safely
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estimating weights to comply with load limitations and ensuring safe distribution of weight
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ensuring goods are stowed and securely covered to prevent loss and damage
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verifying loading documents, checking condition of goods and obtaining certification of deliveries
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 174,000 |
2012 | 179,600 |
2013 | 167,700 |
2014 | 192,200 |
2015 | 171,600 |
2016 | 186,000 |
2017 | 212,600 |
2018 | 196,600 |
2019 | 198,900 |
2020 | 192,000 |
2021 | 174,200 |
2026 | 176,100 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 85% of people employed as Truck Drivers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 19 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 49 hours per week in their main job. This is 5 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,663 per week, this is higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,328
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,142
Median hourly earnings are $35, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Truck Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,663 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Truck Drivers work in the Transport, postal and warehousing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Truck Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 22.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 53% of Truck Drivers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Truck Drivers is 47 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 3% of the workforce. This is 45 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Truck Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 16.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 9.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 5.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 47 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Truck Driver. Some workers have a certificate II or III in driving operations.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Truck Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 26.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 16.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 41.6 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Truck Drivers who are reliable, provide good customer service and are well presented.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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50%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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39%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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39%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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39%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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39%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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30%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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30%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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60%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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59%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
50%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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49%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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47%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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41%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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37%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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36%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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33%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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32%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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32%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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28%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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27%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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25%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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25%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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24%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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21%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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21%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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21%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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20%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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55%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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55%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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54%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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54%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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54%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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45%
Spatial orientationKnow where things are around you.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Night visionSee under low light conditions.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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71%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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69%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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68%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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63%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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63%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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63%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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62%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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61%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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61%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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61%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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60%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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60%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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59%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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58%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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57%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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55%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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54%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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53%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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52%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
50%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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67%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
48%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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43%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
33%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
94%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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88%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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87%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
86%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
83%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
82%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
82%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
81%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
81%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
80%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
80%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
79%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
79%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
78%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
78%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
75%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
75%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
74%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
73%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
67%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 53-3032.00 - Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.