OTR Tanker HazMat Required
CDL-A OTR Tanker Driver – HazMat & Liquid Bulk
Hiring Area: Memphis, TN • Terminal: Memphis, TN
Company Driver 7–10 Days Out Regional-to-OTR Lanes
Haul compatible liquid-bulk and selected regulated chemical freight from Memphis across the Mid-South, Southeast and lower Midwest. Earn approximately $1,750–$2,200 gross per week on productive runs, with mileage pay, eligible accessorials and planned home time after each cycle. Prior liquid-tanker experience is required.
Weekly Gross
$1,750–$2,200
Estimated Annual: $91,000–$114,400
Mileage Pay $0.78 Loaded / $0.58 Empty
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,000
Home Time About 2 Days After Cycle
Weekly Miles 2,400–2,900 Dispatched
Equipment Sleeper + Liquid Tanker
Job Status: Currently Hiring
• Last Verified: October 10, 2026
- Transport liquid-bulk freight on multi-state OTR assignments.
- Inspect tank, valves, hoses, fittings and required safety equipment.
- Follow facility procedures for loading, discharge and product documentation.
- Confirm commodity compatibility before accepting a reload.
- Report delays, equipment defects and HOS constraints to dispatch.
- Complete required PPE, grounding and transfer checks at applicable sites.
- Return to the Memphis area after the assigned operating cycle when routing permits.
Mileage pay is $0.78 per loaded mile and $0.58 per empty dispatched mile. Weekly earnings depend on completed miles, lane mix, reload timing and eligible accessorials. The stated range is an estimate, not a guaranteed weekly minimum. The sign-on bonus is paid in stages under the carrier's written eligibility terms.
Weekly Gross $1,750–$2,200
Estimated Annual Gross $91,000–$114,400
Loaded Miles Typically 1,900–2,500 Weekly
Empty Dispatched Miles Typically 300–500 Weekly
Detention $25/Hour After 2 Hours, If Approved
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,000, Paid in Stages
Time Out Usually 7–10 Days
Home Time About 2 Days After a Completed Cycle
Primary Freight Region Mid-South, Southeast and Lower Midwest
Dispatch Preplanned Loads, Subject to Changes
Terminal Memphis, Tennessee
Return timing depends on the final delivery, compatible reloads, weather and available driving hours. Home time should be coordinated with dispatch rather than treated as a fixed appointment independent of freight conditions.
Tractors Freightliner Cascadia and Volvo VNL
Fleet Age Mostly 3–6 Years
Cab Sleeper, Assigned When Available
Trailers Stainless-Steel or Compatible Liquid-Bulk Tankers
Safety Systems ELD, eDVIR and Equipped-Unit Driver Assistance
Equipment is maintained through the terminal shop and approved repair facilities. Some tractors have collision mitigation, lane-departure alerts and adaptive cruise. Tractor assignments may change during maintenance or dispatch adjustments.
Routes depend on the shipper, product compatibility and customer receiving windows. Representative corridors include:
- Memphis, TN – Little Rock, AR: I-40 and local industrial connections.
- Memphis, TN – Jackson, MS: I-55 and connecting state highways.
- Memphis, TN – Birmingham, AL: I-22 and regional terminal access.
- Memphis, TN – Nashville, TN: I-40 and local plant approaches.
- Memphis, TN – St. Louis, MO: I-55, with metropolitan traffic near the destination.
- Memphis, TN – Baton Rouge, LA: I-55 and I-12/I-10 connections, depending on the receiver.
- Memphis, TN – Dallas–Fort Worth, TX: I-40/I-30 and connecting routes selected for the delivery.
These are representative operating corridors, not guaranteed weekly destinations. A compatible return load may change the sequence or extend a cycle.
- Review the dispatch, pickup appointment and product requirements.
- Complete pre-trip inspection and verify tank and hose condition.
- Check in at the terminal, follow site safety rules and review shipping papers.
- Follow required loading, grounding, bonding and vapor-control procedures.
- At delivery, confirm receiving authorization and follow the approved discharge procedure.
- Submit delivery documents and report the empty status before the next assignment.
About the Carrier
This mid-sized trucking operation handles specialized liquid-bulk freight through a network of terminals, industrial customers and regional distribution facilities. Dispatch plans loads around product compatibility, delivery appointments and equipment availability. Drivers work with an operations team to resolve routing changes, terminal delays and maintenance issues while following established tanker safety procedures. The fleet consists of practical sleeper tractors and maintained bulk-liquid trailers rather than an all-new premium fleet. The operation combines recurring customer lanes with occasional reloads that depend on commodity requirements and freight demand.
Health Benefits Medical, Dental and Vision Options
Retirement 401(k) Plan
Training Paid Safety and Equipment Orientation
Work Equipment Required Company-Specified PPE
Additional Benefits Eligible Safety and Referral Incentives
Benefit eligibility, employee contributions and incentive conditions are confirmed during onboarding.
- Valid Class A CDL with current Tanker and HazMat endorsements.
- At least 12 months of verifiable CDL-A experience.
- Prior liquid-tanker experience required.
- Acceptable MVR, PSP and employment history.
- Pass applicable DOT physical, drug and alcohol screening, and Clearinghouse review.
- Meet applicable background and HazMat security requirements.
- Available for 7–10 day operating cycles and able to perform required tanker duties.
- Terminal queues and missed loading appointments can delay departure.
- Customer tanks, receiving staff or discharge equipment may not be ready on arrival.
- Traffic around Memphis, St. Louis, Birmingham and Dallas can affect planned arrival times.
- Weather, plant maintenance and product compatibility may limit reload options.
- Detention requires qualifying wait time and approval under the applicable pay policy.
1
Application
Submit CDL details, endorsements and work history.
2
Driver Review
Review experience, MVR, PSP and employment records.
3
Qualification
Complete required screening and compliance checks.
4
Orientation
Complete tanker safety orientation and dispatch preparation.
Q: How much can I earn per week? ▼
Estimated gross pay is $1,750–$2,200 per week. Actual earnings depend on loaded and empty miles, freight availability and qualifying accessorial pay.
Q: How is mileage pay calculated? ▼
The stated rates are $0.78 per loaded mile and $0.58 per empty dispatched mile. Pay is based on qualifying dispatched mileage under the carrier's mileage policy.
Q: How often will I get home? ▼
The usual cycle is 7–10 days out followed by approximately two days at home. Exact return timing depends on the final load, routing and operating conditions.
Q: Are HazMat and Tanker endorsements required? ▼
Q: Are HazMat and Tanker endorsements required? ▼
Yes. Both current endorsements are required for this position because assignments include regulated liquid-bulk freight.
Q: Can a new CDL school graduate apply? ▼
No. Applicants must have at least 12 months of verifiable CDL-A experience and prior liquid-tanker experience.
Q: Will I drive the same truck every week? ▼
A regular tractor assignment may be available, but a replacement can be required during maintenance or operational changes.
Q: Is the $2,000 sign-on bonus paid immediately? ▼
No immediate lump-sum payment is promised. The bonus is paid in stages, subject to the carrier's written eligibility and retention terms.
Q: What happens if a trailer is not compatible with the next product? ▼
Dispatch must identify an approved compatible load or arrange the required cleaning and inspection before the trailer is assigned to another product.
Memphis offers a broad CDL-A employment base spanning distribution, regional truckload, intermodal and specialized transportation. Tanker openings represent a narrower segment because employers need drivers with the correct endorsements and relevant liquid-handling experience. Published pay varies considerably by commodity, mileage policy, home-time schedule and whether a role is local or over the road. For experienced tanker drivers, mileage-based OTR positions can offer higher weekly earning potential than many entry-level driving jobs, but results depend on dispatch consistency and paid miles. Candidates should compare the loaded and empty rates, bonus conditions, benefits and time away from home rather than relying on the advertised maximum alone.
Memphis sits at the intersection of important Mid-South freight corridors, with I-40 and I-55 connecting the area to the lower Midwest, Arkansas, Mississippi and broader Southeast networks. Industrial facilities, fuel distribution terminals and chemical customers can generate specialized liquid-bulk movements, although individual lanes depend on contracts and product requirements. OTR tanker drivers may travel beyond the immediate Memphis market when compatible freight and delivery schedules support the move. Traffic near major cities, terminal queues, receiving appointments and plant maintenance can affect weekly mileage. A workable dispatch plan must balance loaded freight, repositioning miles, legal driving hours and the need to return drivers home after their scheduled cycle.