CDL Truck Driver Jobs in Tucson, AZ
CDL-A drivers in Tucson pull tractor-trailers for LTL freight carriers, regional fleets and linehaul runs on I-10 and I-19. XPO's home-daily Tucson posting starts at $29.35 an hour. Current openings are below, followed by who hires, what it pays and the steps to a Class A license.
Current CDL Driver Openings in Tucson, AZ
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CDL Truck Driver Work in Tucson
Tucson sits on I-10, the freight corridor between Southern California and Texas, where it meets I-19 running about 65 miles south to the Nogales border crossing, a major gateway for produce from Mexico. The less-than-truckload carriers that move that freight in and out of town cluster on the south and north sides: XPO in the 85714 area, Old Dominion's service center on East Corona Road near the airport and Estes Express on West Wetmore Road. Big distribution buildings like Amazon's fulfillment center on South Kolb Road and the HomeGoods distribution center on South Alvernon Way keep trailers moving every day.
Home time is the big choice. LTL city drivers run pickup and delivery around the metro and sleep at home; linehaul drivers pull doubles between terminals and may be out several days at a time; regional truckload fleets hire Tucson drivers who run out of Phoenix or El Paso and get home weekly. Local route jobs for food, beverage and waste companies are covered in our truck driver guide.
Top Tucson Employers for CDL Truck Drivers
These carriers hire Class A drivers based in Tucson:
- XPO - LTL carrier hiring home-daily Class A drivers in Tucson at $29.35 an hour to start, running doubles and triples and loading freight, with day, night and weekend shifts.
- Estes Express Lines - LTL carrier with a Tucson terminal on West Wetmore Road that hires fully endorsed linehaul drivers, out about five days at a time with paid lodging.
- Old Dominion Freight Line - LTL carrier with a Tucson service center on East Corona Road that hires local and linehaul drivers, most of them home daily.
- Knight Transportation - truckload carrier hiring Tucson-based regional dry van drivers who are home weekly, with a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
- Saia - LTL carrier that lists Tucson city driver and regional linehaul openings.
CDL Truck Driver Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level (first year, Class A): roughly $45,000 to $55,000 a year.
- Experienced (LTL city or regional, 2 to 5 years): roughly $55,000 to $70,000 a year.
- Senior (fully endorsed linehaul, top regional earners): roughly $70,000 to $90,000 a year.
These are estimates that vary by employer and experience. Federal survey data put the Tucson median for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers at $27.23 an hour, or $56,640 a year, across 3,820 jobs (May 2025). LTL city jobs pay by the hour plus overtime, while regional and linehaul jobs pay by the mile; Knight lists $0.45 to $0.62 a mile and $86,350 in average annual earnings for its top producers. Doubles, tanker and hazmat endorsements open the best-paying LTL seats.
How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Tucson
- Get a commercial learner's permit: pass the knowledge tests at an ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office. Federal rules make you hold the permit at least 14 days before the skills test.
- Finish Entry-Level Driver Training: since 2022 first-time Class A applicants must train with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. HDS Truck Driving Institute on South Wilmot Road and Pima Community College's Center for Transportation and Logistics on South Country Club Road are both listed. Pima estimates its Class A program at $4,094.25 for in-state students in 2026-27, finished in as little as about 6.5 weeks.
- Pass the skills test and get a DOT medical card: pre-trip inspection, basic control and road test, plus a medical exam from a certified examiner.
- Know the age rules: you must be 21 to drive across state lines. ADOT issues intrastate CDLs from age 18, valid only in Arizona, and drivers under 21 cannot haul placarded hazmat.
- Add endorsements: T for doubles and triples, N for tankers, H for hazmat and X for tank plus hazmat. Hazmat needs a TSA threat assessment, about $90 and good for five years. XPO asks for H, N and T within 90 days of hire, and Estes linehaul requires them up front.
What the Job Involves
An LTL city driver starts with a pre-trip inspection, hooks a trailer at the terminal and works a list of pickups and deliveries across the metro, often loading and unloading freight with a pallet jack. Linehaul drivers hook doubles at night and run them to another terminal, logging hours of service on an electronic logging device. Regional drivers take a dispatched load, plan fuel and rest stops, and deliver on appointment times.
Skills Employers Look For
- A Class A CDL, a clean driving record and a current DOT medical card
- No positive DOT drug test or refusal in the last three years, and registration in the FMCSA Clearinghouse
- Pulling doubles and triples and backing into tight terminal docks
- Hours-of-service and electronic logging discipline
- Loading and securing freight with a pallet jack or forklift
- Steady driving in monsoon dust and summer heat on I-10
Career Path and Advancement
Many new Class A drivers in Tucson start with a regional or over-the-road fleet to build the six months to a year of experience that home-daily jobs ask for. From there drivers move into LTL city pickup and delivery, then add endorsements for linehaul and doubles work at carriers like XPO, Estes and Old Dominion. Off the road, the ladder leads to driver trainer, dispatcher, safety and terminal management, and some drivers buy a truck and lease on as an owner operator.
Related Careers in Tucson
These Tucson guides cover the closest driving careers:
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a CDL-A in Tucson?
Plan on about one to two months. Pima Community College's Class A program can be finished in as little as about 6.5 weeks, and you must hold your learner's permit for 14 days before the skills test. HDS Truck Driving Institute and Pima are both on the federal training registry.
Which CDL jobs in Tucson get you home every night?
LTL city pickup and delivery jobs are the main home-daily Class A work. XPO's Tucson posting is home daily, and Old Dominion says most of its drivers are home daily. Linehaul and regional jobs keep you out several days at a time.
How much do CDL-A drivers make in Tucson?
The federal median for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers in Tucson is $27.23 an hour, about $56,640 a year. XPO's home-daily Tucson job starts at $29.35 an hour, and endorsed linehaul and top regional drivers can earn $70,000 to $90,000.
Do Tucson LTL jobs require endorsements?
Often, yes. XPO asks for hazmat, tanker and doubles endorsements within 90 days of hire, and Estes requires them for linehaul. The hazmat endorsement needs a TSA threat assessment with fingerprints, so apply at least 60 days ahead.
Can Arizona at Work help pay for CDL school in Tucson?
Sometimes. Pima Community College's Class A program is approved for WIOA training funds through ARIZONA@WORK Pima County, which can cover tuition for eligible job seekers. The program is not eligible for federal student aid, so ask the Pima County One-Stop about funding before you enroll.
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