With distribution centers located throughout the United States, Walmart need a lot of truck drivers. Walmart truck drivers enjoy a higher than average income, along with benefit options. Walmart truck driving jobs require you to have proper driving credentials, and many jobs call for several years of truck driving experience. Nonetheless, applying for a Walmart truck driving job is as easy as filling out an online application.

Truck Driver Education and Licensing

Typically, companies look for truck drivers who have graduated high school. Over-the-road (OTR) drivers, also called long-haul drivers, transport goods hundreds or thousands of miles in trailers, pulled by tractor trucks. To operate a tractor-trailer rig, you must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Many aspiring OTR drivers enroll in professional truck driving courses at private institutions or community colleges, which usually take three to six months to complete. Professional training can teach you how to operate a tractor-trailer rig, gain knowledge about highway laws and understand regulations governed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

The requirements for obtaining a CDL vary from state to state. In most states, you must pass driving and written tests. You may also decide to add a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement to your CDL, which enables you to transport goods deemed hazardous by the DOT. Securing a HAZMAT endorsement usually requires passing an exam and submitting to a background check.

Drivers who hold a CDL are subject to pre-employment, post-accident and random drug and alcohol tests, governed by the DOT.

Walmart Truck Driving Jobs

Walmart operates more than 150 distribution centers across the United States. The centers house and distribute a variety of Walmart products, ranging from dry foods to electronics to apparel. A single distribution center can employ hundreds of workers and support the merchandise needs of up to 100 Walmart stores. To keep products moving, Walmart employs nearly 8,000 truck drivers.

A typical Walmart driver travels around 100,000 miles per year, and the entire driving team racks up more than half a billion miles annually. Walmart hires truck drivers living in all parts of the country. Drivers work a regular schedule and average about 300 miles per haul.

Duties and responsibilities of Walmart truck drivers go beyond safely maintaining and navigating their rigs. Drivers must write internal reports, plan travel routes and maintain required DOT records. Walmart drivers also must be physically able to sit for long periods, climb stairs and ladders, lift and carry equipment, and react quickly in emergencies. To qualify as a Walmart truck driver, you must hold a Class A CDL and meet experience requirements. Your license must include a HAZMAT endorsement, and your driving record must not exceed limits imposed on traffic violations and accidents.

The Average Pay for a Walmart Truck Driver

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), truck drivers earned a median wage of around $42,500 in 2017. The median wage represents the salary in the center of the occupation’s pay scale. Drivers on the low end of the scale earned less than $28,000. By contrast, Walmart drivers earned a median wage of around $86,000, according to a 2018 Bloomberg report.

The BLS projects a 6 percent increase in truck driving jobs through 2026. At the time of this writing, Walmart listed 50 available OTR truck driving positions, based in locations throughout the United States from Johnstown, New York, to Hermiston, Oregon. Walmart truck drivers also receive a benefits package that includes a 401(k) plan, health insurance plans, education assistance, merchandise discounts and a stock purchase program.

Applying for Walmart Driving Jobs

The Walmart career website is the best place to find Walmart driving jobs. To navigate to Walmart truck driving job openings, search for “Drive4Walmart” in Google. In the “Drivers and Transportation” section, you will find a list of open OTR truck driving positions in various locations. Once you click on an open position, you can see the details of the job, along with its qualifications.

If you click on the “Apply” button, the system will take you to Walmart’s online application system, where you must register for an account before completing the application. Allow about one hour to complete the online job application. The application will ask you questions about your employment history, current residency, truck driving experience, license information, traffic accident history and drug testing history. You must enter your CDL number, along with addresses and contact information for current and previous employers. The application also allows you to upload your resume.

You cannot change information on your application once you submit it. Walmart will notify you to request an interview or to inform you that they selected another candidate for the job. Response times vary, depending on the position and location. If you do not get the job, you can apply for other positions. Your initial application will remain in the Walmart system for about two months.