ABOUT TRUCKING CAREERS
Saskatchewan Trucking AssociationAbout Trucking Careers in Saskatchewan
If you are thinking about a career in the trucking industry.
Below are examples of the types of career opportunities available in the trucking industry. This information aims to help you decide if a career in the trucking industry is right for you.
Understanding some details such as:
- the approximate salaries
- employment requirements
- education requirements
- and career succession.
Learn More About Trucking Careers
Commercial Truck Driver
Also known as Commercial Vehicle Operator
Read About This Career
Entry-level Truck Driver: Average salary, $18.27 per hour
Truck Driver: Average salary, $22.24 per hour
Long Haul: Average salary, $24.64 per hour
Estimated wage in Saskatchewan: $63,900-$86,000
Owner-operator: Average salary, $110,000 + per year
Truck drivers operate heavy vehicles that haul goods. Depending on the type of truck driver, travel may include urban, rural, provincial, national or even international – all over North America. Trucking companies are hired by customers including farmers, manufacturers, stores and restaurants to delivery goods. Every thing in your daily life was was delivered, at least in part, by a truck. From the food in your fridge to the the device you are reading this on was made available to you because of trucks.
- Long-Haul Truck Driver: Being a long distance driver mean that you drive outside of your city, province or even country. Long-haul truck drivers will plan trip logistics, obtain and upkeep required documentation, perform pre-trip, en route and post-trip inspections of the vehicle, ensure cargo is secure, obtain special permits to transport cargo on international routes and much more!
- Short-haul and local transport drivers: operates and drives primarily smaller sized trucks to transport goods and materials on local routes and short inter-urban routes (great if you want to be home every night), performs pre-trip, en route and post-trip inspections of the vehicle, and may drive special purpose trucks such as tow trucks, dump trucks, hydro-vac trucks or cement mixing trucks,
- Owner Operator: being an owner operator generally means that you own your own truck and hire your services out to a single or multiple companies. Being an owner operator is the most common first step in owning your own trucking company.
Employment Requirements:
- Comprehension of the English language—written and spoken; to interpret documents, training manuals, legislation, etc.
- Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and random drug testing throughout employment.
- Air Brake endorsement
- Clean criminal record check and drivers abstract
- Secondary (high) school certificate
Education Requirements:
- Class 1 A Driver’s License, or the Mandatory Entry-level Training (MELT) effective March 15, 2019 in Saskatchewan with a pre-requisite of a Class 1 Learner (Class 1 Endorsement)
Career Succession: Progression to supervisory positions or to non-driving occupations, such as driver trainer, safety officer or truck dispatcher is possible with additional training or experience. Succession in driving positions is also possible, with opportunities to haul fuel or other dangerous goods with earning potential reaching $170,000 + per year.
Dispatcher
In Bound/Out Bound Freight Coordinator/Crew Dispatcher
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$50,000 – $100,000 per year
Job Description: Dispatchers process and transmit information and instructions to coordinate the activities of Professional Drivers operating Class 1/A vehicles while transporting goods over urban, regional, provincial/territorial and international routes. They are employed by transportation companies, manufacturing and distribution companies, moving companies and employment service agencies. (In some companies, the dispatch function is shared between two or more individuals with the following job titles: Fleet Manager; Customer Service Representative; Planner; Trip Coordinator; Driver Manager; and Dispatcher)
Job Duties:
- operate radios and other telecommunication equipment;
- dispatch personnel according to schedules and work orders;
- monitor personnel workloads and locations;
- maintain computer and manual records of mileage, fuel use and expenses;
- advise vehicle operators of route and traffic problems such as construction, accidents, etc.;
- coordinate activities of vehicle operators;
Essential Skills:
- Strong Communication Skills
- Attention to detail
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel and Outlook
- Organizational skills
Employment Requirements:
- Completion of secondary (high) school is required
Transport Manager
Also Referred to as Supervisors
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$70,000 – $100,000
Job Description: Supervisors or Managers co-ordinate the activities of workers in the following unit group: Shippers and Receivers, Dispatchers and Transportation Route and Crew Schedulers. Job Duties: Employment Requirements: Essential Skills:
Safety & Compliance
Sometimes referred to as Safety Officers
Read About This Career
$50,000 – $105,492
Safety & Compliance managers are trucking companies are responsible for making sure the company and it’s drivers operate compliance in accordance with safety regulations. Trucking companies have their own rules and regulations regarding safety in the workplace. Countries and provinces also have rules and regulations about what trucks can and cannot do. A Safety and Compliance Manager is expected to understand regulations from the Federal Motor Carriers Association (US), federal, provincial, state and company regulations as they pertain to the operations of the business. This position records and maintains driver violation and accident data, oversees new driver orientation, delivers safety instruction and provides ongoing training. Safety and Compliance Manager responsibilities may vary from company to company.
Employment Requirements
- Knowledge and understanding of regulations in the jurisdictions (often multiple) that trucking companies operate.
- Technical abilities to operate software and training platforms
- Class 1 license
- Leadership and communication skills
- Presentation skills (education)
- Computer use
- Solid judgment and discretion
- Problem solving and analytics skills
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety or equivalent such as Driver Safety Trainer Program
- Minimum 3-5 years experience in safety management
- Professional driving experience
Dock Worker
May include loading and unloading
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$17.00 – $18.00 dollars per hour
Job Description: Dock workers are responsible for loading and unloading freight onto trucks and trailers using various types of equipment, such as forklifts, dollies, carts, or manual handling in a safe and efficient manner. Dock workers are employed by transportation companies, manufacturing and distribution companies and moving companies.
Job Duties:
- Loading, unloading and moving products and materials
- operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks and to store and retrieve materials.
- Ensure accuracy of all in-bound and out-bound freight
Employment requirements:
- Some secondary school education may be required
- Physical strength is required for manual material handlers who work with heavy materials.
Vehicle Technician
Often referred to as Motor Vehicle Mechanics
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$32.00 – $42.00 per hour
Job Description:
Maintenance, repairs and diagnosis of trucks, trailers, and forklift including hydraulic and electrical systems. As well as knowledge and involvement in disassembling and re-assembling components of heavy equipment. Other responsibilities might include: cleaning/maintaining equipment; interpreting work orders and manuals; writing service reports
Job Duties:
Repair of diesel engines, airbrakes, power train, transmissions, fuel systems, cooling systems, steering electrical, suspension systems, welding tasks, as well as preventative maintenance tasks including oil changes and grease jobs
Employment Requirements:
interpersonal skills, written and communication skills; possibly a class 2b license with air brake endorsement.
Essential Skills:
Mechanical experience is preferred; another possible requirement is a trade certificate and class 5 drivers license.
Administrative Staff
Also known as Office Administrators
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$52,000 – $55,000 per year
Job Description: the office administrator oversees and co-ordinates office administrative procedures; Review, evaluate and implement new administrative procedures; Establish work priorities and ensure procedures are followed and deadlines are met; Assemble data and prepare periodic and special reports, manuals and correspondence
Job Duties:
- Oversee and co-ordinate office administrative procedures
- Establish work priorities and ensure procedures are followed
- Use of computer equipment
- Mail handling
- Answering phones and relaying telephone calls
Essential Skills:
- High quality interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Detail oriented
- Excellent computer skills; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel
- Strong organizational and time management skills
Employment Requirements:
- Completion of Secondary (high) school is required
The Saskatchewan Trucking Association is the leader and voice for truck transport in the province of Saskatchewan. As proactive trusted advisors, the STA is a knowledgeable membership association that represents the collective interests of the truck transport industry through authentic advocacy and education.
