OTR Tanker Position HazMat Endorsed

CDL-A OTR Tanker / Hazmat Driver

Hiring Area: Memphis, TN • Terminal: Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN OTR 7–14 Day Cycles 3–7 Year Equipment

Haul refined petroleum, industrial liquids and regulated chemical products on 7–14 day OTR cycles out of Memphis through Mid-South, Gulf Coast, Midwest and Southeast corridors. Weekly gross $1,900–$2,600 with 2–3 day home blocks after completed cycles.

Weekly Gross
$1,900–$2,600
Estimated Annual: $98,800–$135,200
Sign-On Bonus $3,000
Home Time 2–3 Days After Cycles
Driver Type OTR Tanker / HazMat
Weekly Miles 2,500–3,600 Paid
Freight Type Bulk Liquid / HazMat

Position Overview

Regulated liquid-transfer responsibility defines the role more than pure highway miles.

  • Inspect valves, hoses, fittings, caps and seals before loading begins.
  • Perform grounding, bonding and vapor-recovery connections at the rack.
  • Confirm product match, tank condition and shipping papers before departure.
  • Stay with the transfer and halt operations on any abnormal reading.
  • Notify dispatch of delays, defects or HOS changes without delay.
  • Observe plant-specific PPE and restricted-area rules at chemical sites.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Mileage earnings run $0.70–$0.85 CPM by lane and freight pressure. Total weekly gross varies with paid miles, detention and qualifying accessorials. A representative week near 3,000 paid miles at roughly $0.75 CPM yields about $2,250; typical annual projection sits near $117,000.

Weekly Gross Range $1,900–$2,600
Normal / Peak Weeks $2,000–$2,400 / $2,400–$2,600
Estimated Annual $98,800–$135,200
Sign-On Bonus $3,000
Detention $30/hour after 2 hours
Loaded / Paid Miles 2,100–2,900 / 2,500–3,600 (paid includes qualifying deadhead)

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Operating Cycle 7–14 Days Out
Home Blocks 2–3 Days After Cycles
Operating Area Mid-South, Gulf Coast, Midwest, Southeast
Terminal Memphis, TN
Dispatch Style Load-Dependent OTR

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Peterbilt & Volvo Sleepers
Age Range Approximately 3–7 Years
Transmission Automated Manual
Trailers Stainless-Steel Bulk Liquid
Assignment May Rotate for Maintenance

Units include ELD, collision mitigation where equipped, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on selected newer tractors and forward-facing cameras. Trailers feature vapor-recovery fittings, pressure monitoring, grounding points and product-specific valves plus hose assemblies. Shop work is handled at the Memphis terminal or approved outside facilities.

Real Routes

Bulk liquid moves originate at fuel terminals, chemical plants and storage yards, then travel to industrial receivers and distribution points. Trailer compatibility with the prior product governs which load can be accepted next.

  • Memphis–Houston runs use I-40 / I-30 / I-20 with occasional Gulf Coast staging waits.
  • Memphis–Baton Rouge traffic follows I-55 then I-12 / I-10 connections.
  • Memphis–Chicago traffic travels I-55 and can meet congestion near St. Louis or Joliet.
  • Shorter industrial reloads run Memphis–St. Louis on I-55 and Memphis–Little Rock on I-40.
  • Memphis–Dallas-Fort Worth follows the I-40 / I-30 corridor.
  • Southeast industrial freight includes Memphis–Birmingham on I-22 and Memphis–Nashville on I-40.

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Load assignment arrives via ELD or dispatch before the driver reaches the pickup terminal.
  • Pre-trip, gate check-in, tanker inspection and loading authorization occur at the rack.
  • BOL review and seal verification clear the unit for departure on the linehaul.
  • Customer check-in, PPE compliance and unloading authorization follow arrival.
  • After discharge the driver closes paperwork and reports empty for the next compatible load.
  • When HOS and freight timing require it, a 34-hour reset is scheduled during the cycle.

About the Carrier

Bulk liquid energy and chemical supply chains require continuous movement between fuel terminals, production plants and industrial receivers. Product compatibility, tank cleanliness and controlled transfer procedures decide whether a trailer can accept the next load or must first complete a washout. Matching stainless-steel equipment to the correct commodity while coordinating terminal appointments, multi-state reloads and customer receiving windows keeps the freight flowing. A Memphis-based mid-sized operation concentrates on these long-haul tanker corridors because refined petroleum and industrial liquids demand specialized capacity that ordinary dry-van fleets cannot supply.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, Dental & Vision Options
Retirement 401(k) Contribution Plan
Orientation Paid Tanker & HazMat Safety Orientation
PPE & Support Company-Provided Tanker-Specific PPE
Additional Safety Incentives, DOT Physical Reimbursement, Referral Incentive

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL plus current HazMat and Tanker endorsements
  • At least 12 months CDL-A experience and prior tanker experience required
  • Acceptable MVR and PSP; pass background and HazMat/TSA screening
  • Pass DOT physical, drug/alcohol testing and Clearinghouse query
  • Chemical tanker or petroleum/liquid bulk experience strongly preferred
  • Ability to remain out 7–14 days and follow written HazMat procedures

Operational Delays

  • Loading racks develop queues when several trucks arrive in the same window.
  • Chemical facilities may delay discharge until receiving tanks or plant staff are ready.
  • Construction and congestion near St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas and the Gulf Coast slow transit.
  • Refinery maintenance, weather and seasonal fuel demand shift reload availability.
  • Roughly 35 % of loads meet meaningful gate or dock delay; not every delay pays detention.

Hiring Process

1
Application
Online application with CDL and employment history
2
Screening
Recruiter call, MVR, PSP and employment verification
3
Clearances
HazMat/TSA, DOT drug screen, Clearinghouse query
4
Onboarding
Paid tanker orientation then first dispatch

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the next load change after I finish delivery? ▼
Yes. Dispatch may plan several moves ahead, yet a missed terminal release or customer schedule change can alter the following assignment once the current delivery is complete.
Q: What if the trailer cannot accept the next product? ▼
Washout becomes part of the plan. The nearest available load is skipped whenever the previous commodity or tank specification fails customer acceptance rules.
Q: Can I park overnight at customer or terminal yards? ▼
Many locations prohibit overnight parking for loaded tankers. Drivers plan 10-hour breaks at established truck stops along the main corridors.
Q: How are breakdowns handled away from Memphis? ▼
Dispatch and maintenance arrange approved outside repair shops. Early reporting protects remaining HOS and downstream appointments.
Q: Is a TWIC card required on every load? ▼
TWIC is preferred and required by certain customer sites, yet it is not mandatory for every assignment in the network.
Q: How fixed is the return date to Memphis? ▼
Return timing follows the final reload and terminal conditions. A Houston delivery can produce an earlier Memphis backhaul or extend the cycle northward.
Q: Are recent CDL school graduates accepted? ▼
No. Prior tanker experience is required because of regulated liquid cargo, product-transfer procedures and HazMat site rules.

CDL Job Market

Memphis functions as a high-volume Mid-South freight node where CDL-A openings remain steady across local, regional and OTR categories. Distribution centers, intermodal facilities and industrial plants continually post dry-van, reefer and specialized roles. Tanker and HazMat seats form a smaller share of the market, so carriers handling liquid bulk compete for drivers who already carry the endorsements and documented tanker time. Seasonal increases in fuel and chemical traffic create short-term volume spikes, while year-round manufacturing and energy logistics sustain baseline demand. Drivers with clean records and specialized experience typically find multiple choices ranging from home-daily city work to multi-state cycles based at Memphis terminals.

Location & Freight Market

Memphis sits at the junction of major Mid-South corridors that link Midwest production, Gulf Coast energy and Southeast distribution. I-40, I-55 and connecting routes carry consumer goods, industrial inputs and energy products through one of the densest freight concentrations in the country. Gulf Coast refineries and chemical plants generate northbound liquid movements; Mid-South manufacturing and warehouse networks pull inbound bulk commodities. Fuel terminals, storage yards and production sites create ongoing demand for stainless-steel tanker capacity that dry-van fleets cannot fill. Seasonal fuel swings and planned refinery outages change volume on individual lanes, yet the underlying industrial base keeps liquid bulk circulating throughout the year. Existing pipeline and terminal infrastructure reinforces the continuous need for drivers qualified to manage regulated product transfer across these multi-state routes.

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