Intermodal Position Home Daily
CDL-A Intermodal Rail Container Driver — Seattle, WA
Hiring Area: Greater Seattle–Tacoma / Western Washington • Terminal: Seattle-area company yard
Seattle, WA Dedicated Local Intermodal 2021–2025 Day Cabs
Short-haul container turns link rail ramps, marine terminals and Puget Sound distribution centers. Home daily with $1,600–$2,000 weekly pay and estimated annual gross of $83,200–$104,000 on local intermodal work.
Weekly Gross Range
$1,600–$2,000
Estimated Annual: $83,200–$104,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Home Daily
Driver Type Dedicated Intermodal
Typical Moves 4–8 per shift
Freight Type Rail & Marine Containers
Dedicated intermodal work in the Seattle–Tacoma gateway centers on multiple short container turns rather than highway mileage. Dispatch sequences adjust throughout the day as rail releases, chassis status and appointment windows shift.
- Completes required rail and marine terminal ingate/outgate transactions.
- Verifies container numbers, seals and locking mechanisms before leaving.
- Conducts thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections of tractor and chassis.
- Records qualifying detention and reports equipment issues immediately.
- Updates dispatch on gate delays, releases and customer status in real time.
- Performs drop-and-hook or live unloading depending on the facility.
- Maintains accurate ELD records while managing HOS around terminal flow.
Hourly compensation fits the terminal-driven nature of local intermodal work. A representative 47.5-hour week at the midpoint rate of approximately $34.85/hr produces about $1,655 in base gross before overtime, detention or extra activity pay. Weeks with overtime and routine intermodal activity commonly fall in the $1,600–$2,000 advertised range.
Hourly Rate $33.10–$36.60/hr
Weekly Gross Range $1,600–$2,000
Estimated Annual $83,200–$104,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500 ($500 after 30/90/180 days)
Detention Paid after 90 minutes when qualifying
Extra Activity Chassis split and additional handling pay when required
Home Time Home Daily
Operating Area King, Pierce, Snohomish & occasional Thurston County
Typical Shift Length 9–11 hours
Start Window Primarily 5:00–7:00 AM; some afternoon/evening
Work Week Monday–Friday core; occasional Saturday during peaks
Weekly Mileage Varies by assignments; primarily short-haul turns
Tractor Years 2021–2025
Makes & Models Freightliner Cascadia and Volvo VNL 760
Cab Configuration Primarily day-cab and regional-spec
Transmission & Ride Automatic; air-ride suspension
Systems & Chassis ELD, tablet, GPS, forward cameras, PrePass; company chassis
Tractors are assigned when operationally practical; slip-seating occurs during maintenance or temporary demand spikes. Chassis accommodate 20', 40', 45' and 53' containers and receive inspection for tires, lights, air lines, brakes, locking mechanisms and visible structure before terminal entry.
Containerized retail merchandise, consumer products, electronics, packaged goods, industrial materials and machinery components move through the Seattle–Tacoma gateway. Daily direction depends on rail cutoffs, container releases and customer appointments.
- Typical terminal patterns include Seattle International Gateway, South Seattle Intermodal Facility and Tacoma South Intermodal Facility.
- Common assignments may include Seattle to Kent, Auburn, Sumner or Everett.
- Tacoma to Kent, Auburn, Fife or Lakewood forms another frequent pattern.
- Empty repositioning and chassis swaps fill gaps between loaded moves.
- Primary corridors are I-5, I-90, I-405, SR-167 and SR-509 plus local arterials.
- Import containers typically head to distribution centers; export and domestic units return to terminals.
- Shift opens with mobile dispatch review and full equipment inspection.
- First loaded container is retrieved from a rail ramp or marine terminal.
- Delivery is made to a Kent, Auburn or similar distribution facility.
- Empty or next assigned unit is secured before the following turn.
- Live updates revise the remaining sequence based on releases and appointments.
- Four to eight turns normally finish a productive day before returning home.
- Early-week work often favors Seattle-area ramps; mid-week may shift toward Tacoma/Fife/Sumner.
About This Intermodal Operation
Short-haul container movement between ocean terminals, rail ramps and inland distribution centers underpins freight flow across the Puget Sound region. This dedicated intermodal operation concentrates on matching containers to chassis and appointments rather than long-haul mileage. Import, export, domestic and repositioning units keep retail and industrial supply chains moving through Western Washington. Drivers operate inside a structured local system that prioritizes terminal access, equipment readiness and daily return home. The model supports consistent volume while remaining flexible to changing rail schedules and customer windows.
Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision insurance
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Paid Time Off Paid vacation and paid holidays
Training & Support Paid orientation plus chassis and terminal training
Additional TWIC reimbursement, uniform & boot allowance, safety bonus up to $1,000, $750 referral bonus
- Valid CDL-A and current DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate
- Approximately 12 months of recent tractor-trailer experience
- Acceptable MVR and safety history; must pass drug screen and Clearinghouse query
- Background screening required; TWIC preferred (reimbursement may be available)
- Comfort with chassis inspections, rail gates and electronic interchange documentation
- Rail and marine gate queues form around train activity or container releases.
- I-5, I-405, SR-167 and industrial approaches can slow otherwise short turns.
- Chassis may fail inspection or the correct equipment may be unavailable.
- Customer docks sometimes lack available doors despite scheduled appointments.
- Rain, wind, winter weather and construction occasionally require slower routing.
- Holiday and retail peaks increase yard congestion and demand for empties.
1
Application
Submit CDL-A application with employment and driving details
2
Recruiter Screening
Initial call usually within one business day
3
Qualification Review
MVR, Clearinghouse, drug screen and background check
4
Orientation & First Dispatch
Paid terminal orientation then live assignment
Q: How many container moves occur on a normal shift? ▼
Productive shifts typically complete 4–8 moves. Gate congestion or longer turns can reduce that number.
Q: Is previous intermodal or rail-yard experience required? ▼
Preferred but not mandatory. Strong tractor-trailer safety records and the ability to learn terminal procedures are considered.
Q: Is TWIC required? ▼
TWIC is preferred rather than an absolute prerequisite for every facility. Company reimbursement may be available for qualifying expenses.
Q: What happens if a chassis fails inspection at the ramp? ▼
Report it immediately. Dispatch coordinates a swap or redirects the assignment rather than requiring continued use of defective equipment.
Q: Are Saturday shifts required? ▼
Occasional Saturday work can occur during strong import periods or high customer volume. It is not a permanent six-day schedule.
Q: Where do drivers park at the end of the shift? ▼
Primary parking is the company Seattle-area terminal or designated yard. Customer yards are used only when specifically authorized.
Q: How is detention paid? ▼
Qualifying rail or customer detention is paid after 90 minutes when documentation requirements are met.
Q: What is the typical start time? ▼
Most shifts begin between 5:00 and 7:00 AM. Some afternoon or evening assignments occur depending on rail and customer needs.
Q: How long does hiring usually take? ▼
Approximately 5–10 business days depending on how quickly employment verification, MVR review and DOT requirements are completed.
Seattle maintains a deep and competitive CDL-A labor market. Port drayage, rail intermodal, LTL terminals, grocery distribution, parcel networks and construction fleets all draw from the same pool of experienced drivers. Local and dedicated roles dominate demand, especially those that require familiarity with Puget Sound traffic patterns and terminal procedures. Intermodal and drayage positions receive particular attention because chassis work, rail gates and electronic interchange skills take time to develop. Hourly rates in the low-to-upper $30s remain common for seasoned local drivers. National fleets, regional carriers and specialized contractors compete continuously for reliable attendance and clean safety records. Year-round volume from the Seattle–Tacoma gateway keeps openings steady, with retail import peaks further increasing short-haul container demand.
The Seattle–Tacoma gateway ranks among North America’s major container ports, connecting ocean vessels with rail networks and inland distribution. Marine terminals, BNSF intermodal facilities and dense industrial districts in Kent, Auburn, Sumner and Fife generate continuous short-haul container movement. Retail merchandise, consumer products, electronics and industrial materials flow through these corridors every day. I-5, I-90, I-405, SR-167 and SR-509 form the primary highway backbone, while local arterials complete the final warehouse and yard segments. Import peaks around holidays intensify rail and terminal activity; quieter periods shift more volume toward empty repositioning. Geography and infrastructure combine to sustain high intermodal density year-round, making the region a persistent source of local container work for CDL-A drivers.
