Truck Driver Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
CDL drivers in Philadelphia earn a median of about $28.50 an hour, and regional Class A seats here post $33 an hour or more. Sysco, Ryder, FedEx and Philadelphia Gas Works are all hiring. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get your CDL.
Current truck driver Openings in Philadelphia, PA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Truck Driver Work in Philadelphia
Philadelphia trucking runs on I-95 along the Delaware, the Schuylkill Expressway out to King of Prussia and Roosevelt Boulevard through the Northeast. Freight moves through the airport cargo area at Tinicum Island Road, local food distribution routes, and the port terminals on South Columbus Boulevard, where Holt Logistics runs the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal for container traffic.
Many local openings are Class A delivery and switcher jobs with daily home time, while regional carriers use Philadelphia as a base for runs across the Northeast. Public employers matter here too: the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Gas Works both require a CDL for their heavy-truck drivers and equipment operators, and those jobs come with civil service or utility benefits instead of per-mile pay.
Top Philadelphia Employers Hiring Truck Drivers
These employers have posted CDL driver jobs for their Philadelphia operations:
- Sysco - the foodservice distributor hires CDL A local delivery drivers for daily routes with nightly home time.
- Ryder - the logistics company runs Class A regional and solo driver jobs out of Philadelphia, with posted pay of $33 an hour or about $1,950 a week.
- FedEx Express - the airport hub on Tinicum Island Road hires Class A switchers to move trailers between the yard and the docks.
- Philadelphia Gas Works - the city-owned gas utility hires Senior Drivers who must hold a Class A CDL.
- F.W. Webb - the plumbing and HVAC supply distributor hires CDL delivery drivers for its Philadelphia branch at a posted $30 to $35 an hour.
- City of Philadelphia - Equipment Operator I jobs in Sanitation and Streets require a Pennsylvania Class B CDL to run refuse trucks, dump trucks and salt spreaders.
Truck Driver Salaries in Philadelphia
- Entry level: about $22 to $25 an hour for newly licensed drivers and yard switchers.
- Experienced: roughly $26 to $33 an hour for local delivery and regional Class A drivers.
- Senior: $34 to $38 an hour or more for top-paying fleets, specialized freight and long tenure.
These are estimates based on federal wage data for the Philadelphia metro and on pay posted by local employers. Class A pays more than Class B, regional runs pay more than local routes, and Ryder posts a sign-on bonus plus quarterly safety bonuses. Utility and city jobs add pensions and civil service benefits.
How to Become a Truck Driver in Philadelphia
Your CDL comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). You start with a commercial learner's permit, finish federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and wait at least 15 days before the skills test. Interstate drivers must be 21 and hold a DOT medical certificate, which now reaches PennDOT electronically from the FMCSA registry. In the city, Smith & Solomon Commercial Driver Training on Wheatsheaf Lane runs a 160-hour Class A program, and AAA School of Trucking on East Girard Avenue is on the state's list of licensed CDL schools. Congreso's free Careers in Trucking program on West Somerset Street covers CDL A tuition, the physical and drug screen. Port work at Packer Avenue also requires a TWIC card from the TSA.
What the Job Involves
Truck drivers inspect their rigs before and after each trip, haul and deliver freight on schedule, log hours on an electronic logging device and follow federal hours-of-service limits. Local delivery drivers often unload with a hand truck or pallet jack and deal directly with customers, while switchers spend the shift hooking and moving trailers in a yard. Every driver keeps paperwork accurate and reports equipment problems.
Skills Employers Look For
- Valid Class A or Class B CDL with a clean driving record
- Current DOT medical certificate
- Confident backing and maneuvering in tight city streets and docks
- Pre-trip inspection and cargo securement knowledge
- ELD and hours-of-service compliance
- Physical stamina for loading and unloading
- Reliability for early starts and overnight shifts
Career Path and Advancement
Many Philadelphia drivers start as yard switchers or Class B delivery drivers, upgrade to Class A and move into local or regional routes. Endorsements such as tanker and hazmat open higher-paying freight, and a TWIC card opens port work on South Columbus Boulevard. From there, the ladder runs to driver trainer, dispatcher, fleet supervisor and terminal operations, or to a utility or city job with a pension.
Related Careers in Philadelphia
If driving interests you, these Philadelphia roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a CDL in Philadelphia?
Apply to PennDOT for a commercial learner's permit, complete Entry-Level Driver Training with a registered provider, then pass the skills test at least 15 days after the permit is issued. You also need a DOT medical certificate on file with PennDOT.
How much do truck drivers make in Philadelphia?
Federal wage data puts the median for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers in the Philadelphia metro at about $28.50 an hour, or roughly $59,000 a year. Posted Class A jobs in the city run from about $24 an hour for yard work to $33 or more for regional routes.
Can I get CDL training for free in Philadelphia?
Some programs cover the cost. Congreso's Careers in Trucking program covers CDL A tuition, the DOT physical and drug screening, and Smith & Solomon notes that employer tuition reimbursement is available. Ask about any work commitment before you sign.
How old do you have to be to drive a truck in Philadelphia?
You must be 21 to drive a commercial truck across state lines. Sysco's Philadelphia delivery jobs, for example, ask for 21 or older and at least a year of driving experience.
Do I need a TWIC card to haul from the Philadelphia port?
Yes, for terminal access. Holt Logistics requires drivers at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal to carry a valid CDL and TWIC card. The TWIC is issued by the TSA and is valid for five years.
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