Port Drayage Position Home Daily
CDL-A Port Intermodal Container Driver
Hiring Area: Tacoma, WA • Terminal: Port of Tacoma
Tacoma, WA Local Intermodal 2020–2025 Tractors
Local port container drayage from the Port of Tacoma across the Puget Sound with home daily schedules, weekly pay $1,550–$1,900, and annual gross $80,600–$98,800.
Typical Weekly Gross
$1,550–$1,900
Estimated Annual: $80,600–$98,800
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,000
Home Time Home Daily
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles Local Short-Haul
Freight Type Port Containers
Terminal-based intermodal role focused on multiple daily container moves supporting import and export activity through the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
- Completes gate check-in with appointment and container details.
- Verifies seals, container numbers, and interchange documents.
- Performs chassis and container condition inspections before movement.
- Handles electronic paperwork and outgate procedures at terminals.
- Communicates delays, equipment issues, and appointment changes to dispatch.
- Manages empty returns and chassis repositioning as needed.
Hourly model with overtime and delay protection built for terminal productivity variables.
Hourly Rate $33.40–$36.85/hour
Typical Weekly $1,550–$1,900
Estimated Annual $80,600–$98,800
Overtime Example 10 hrs × $50.10 = $501
Detention $33.40/hr after 90 min
Sign-On Bonus $500 at 60 days + $500 at 120 days
Chassis Split Paid when required
Pay Frequency Weekly
Home Time Home Daily
Operating Area Puget Sound / Western Washington
Terminal Base Tacoma, WA
Workdays Monday–Friday (Saturday optional peak)
Start Window 4:00 AM – 7:00 AM
Shift Length 9–11 hours
Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia 2021–2025, Volvo VNL 760 2021–2024, Kenworth T680 2020–2023
Cab Type Day cab
Transmission Automated (I-Shift on Volvo)
Chassis 20'/40'/45'/53' company-owned sliding
Tech & Safety ELD, GPS, forward cameras, PrePass, collision mitigation, lane departure, adaptive cruise
Assignment Assigned when available; rotation possible
Fleet prioritizes reliability and maneuverability for high-frequency terminal cycles with air-ride suspension and company fuel cards.
Import and export containers of retail merchandise, building products, packaged goods, and industrial materials move between marine terminals, rail ramps, and warehouses.
- Tacoma to Kent via I-5 / SR-516 / SR-167 for distribution warehouses.
- Tacoma to Auburn via I-5 / SR-18 / SR-167 for retail and transload.
- Tacoma to Sumner via I-5 / SR-410 / SR-167 for consumer goods.
- Tacoma to Fife via I-5 / SR-509 for short-distance customer yards.
- Tacoma to Seattle via I-5 / SR-509 for repositioning and distribution.
- Tacoma to Everett via I-5 / I-405 for warehouse and industrial moves.
- Tacoma to Olympia via I-5 for regional warehouse deliveries.
- Arrive at staging, review electronic dispatch, and complete pre-trip.
- Proceed to marine terminal for gate entry and first container pickup.
- Deliver loaded import to warehouse or rail, then handle empty return.
- Receive mid-shift adjustments based on vessel or chassis availability.
- Complete 4–7 container moves depending on gate traffic and unloading speed.
- Finish with final outgate, electronic paperwork, and equipment inspection.
- Return tractor to company terminal or approved secure parking.
About the Carrier
Marine terminal container flow through the Port of Tacoma and connected rail facilities requires specialized short-haul capacity that links vessels directly to regional warehouses and distribution centers. This mid-sized regional operation focuses exclusively on intermodal drayage within the Puget Sound network, coordinating chassis supply, appointment windows, and empty repositioning so import and export boxes keep moving. The carrier supports retail, construction, and industrial supply chains by providing reliable local container transfers rather than long-haul highway freight, filling the critical last-mile and first-mile gap between ocean carriers and inland receivers across Western Washington.
Health Coverage Medical, Dental & Vision after eligibility
Retirement 401(k) with match after one year
Paid Time Off Paid vacation + paid holidays
TWIC Support Renewal cost assistance
Uniforms & Boots Company uniforms + boot reimbursement
Additional Terminal orientation, chassis training, safety recognition, assigned dispatcher
- Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical card
- Minimum 12 months tractor-trailer experience
- Safe history with no major preventable violations
- Valid TWIC card required before start date
- Preferred: prior intermodal, port, rail, or chassis experience
- Ability to climb cab, inspect equipment, and work outdoors
- Gate congestion and morning queues at marine terminals
- Vessel schedule changes and container availability holds
- Chassis shortages or rail ramp congestion
- Traffic on I-5, SR-509, SR-167 during peak periods
- Customer appointment shifts or warehouse readiness delays
1
Recruiter Call
Within one business day
2
Verification
CDL, MVR, Clearinghouse, background
3
Offer & Orientation
Paid orientation at Tacoma terminal
4
First Dispatch
Equipment assignment and start
Q: How many container moves are typical in a shift? ▼
Most drivers complete 4–7 moves depending on terminal traffic, container availability, and customer unloading speed.
Q: Is the freight no-touch? ▼
Yes. Containers are handled by terminal or warehouse equipment. Drivers handle inspections, seals, and documentation only.
Q: Where do drivers park at the end of the shift? ▼
Tractors return to company terminal parking, designated yards, or approved secure customer locations. Street parking is not used.
Q: How does dispatch handle mid-day changes? ▼
Assignments update throughout the day based on vessel activity, chassis supply, and customer readiness. Drivers receive new instructions via tablet or communication system.
Q: Are Saturday shifts required? ▼
Saturday work is optional and typically available only during peak import periods or high vessel activity.
Q: What training is provided for terminal procedures? ▼
New drivers receive port terminal orientation covering gate systems, chassis inspection, container documentation, and interchange requirements.
Q: How long does the full hiring process take? ▼
Typical completion is 5–10 business days depending on TWIC status and verification requirements.
Tacoma and the broader Puget Sound form one of the strongest CDL-A markets in the Pacific Northwest. Port drayage, rail intermodal, LTL, regional distribution, construction supply, and retail freight operators all compete for experienced Class A drivers. A moderate shortage exists specifically for drivers with terminal knowledge, TWIC credentials, and container handling experience, even though overall CDL holders are more plentiful. Local carriers, national fleets, and dedicated warehouse operations create steady demand year-round, with peak hiring often tied to import surges and holiday retail cycles. Specialized skills in marine terminal procedures and chassis management remain the most valuable differentiators for drivers seeking stable local work in this corridor.
The Port of Tacoma, operating jointly with Seattle through the Northwest Seaport Alliance, ranks among the primary West Coast container gateways. Import and export volumes support retail distribution, manufacturing supply chains, construction materials, and consumer goods across Washington State. Freight concentrates around marine terminals, rail intermodal facilities, and industrial parks stretching through Pierce, King, Snohomish, and Thurston counties, with major activity in Tacoma, Fife, Sumner, Auburn, Kent, Seattle, and the greater Puget Sound warehouse corridor. Interstate I-5, SR-509, SR-167, and I-405 form the core highway network, though congestion around Tacoma and Seattle regularly shapes daily schedules. Vessel arrivals, rail availability, and chassis supply drive the rhythm of container movement, creating continuous short-haul demand that links ocean carriers directly to inland receivers throughout Western Washington.
