Home CDL-A Jobs Job Form CDL News
CDL A Job Type
States
Top CDL-A Cities
Driver Hub

CDL A Job Type

×
OTR CDL-A Jobs USA Regional CDL-A Jobs USA Local CDL-A Jobs USA Owner Operator CDL-A Jobs USA

States

×
Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Florida Georgia Illinois Idaho Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Missouri Minnesota Michigan North Carolina New Jersey New York New Mexico Oregon Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Tennessee Wisconsin Washington

Top CDL-A Cities

×
Atlanta Albuquerque Baton Rouge Birmingham Boise Buffalo Chicago Cleveland Charlotte Cincinnati Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Elizabeth Eugene Fort Smith Fort Worth Fort Wayne Fresno Greensboro Houston Harrisburg Indianapolis Idaho Falls Jacksonville Joliet Kansas City Lakeland Laredo Lexington Little Rock Los Angeles Louisville Madison Miami Memphis Milwaukee Minneapolis Mobile Montgomery Nashville Newark New York New Orleans Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Portland San Antonio San Bernardino San Diego Saint Paul Seattle Savannah Springfield Stockton St. Louis Tacoma Tampa Tucson

Driver Hub

×
CDL-A Trucking School & Job Placement CDL-A Pay Calculator
CDL-A Position Local / Short Regional

CDL-A Pneumatic Tanker Driver — Cement & Fly Ash Operations

Hiring Area: St. Louis bi-state market • Terminal: Metro East / St. Louis area

St. Louis, Missouri Local / Short Regional Bulk Tanker 2022–2025 Kenworth T880

Early local and short-regional pneumatic runs move cement, fly ash and dry lime across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Weekly pay ranges $1,700–$2,500 with a typical gross near $2,100 and home most nights.

Weekly Range
$1,700–$2,500
Typical Annualized Gross: $109,200
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Home most nights
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 1,800–2,400
Freight Type Dry-bulk pneumatic

Position Overview

This role centers on controlled pneumatic unloading at ready-mix plants, precast yards and active construction sites rather than drop-and-hook delivery.

  • Connect product hoses and operate PTO/blower systems at customer silos.
  • Monitor trailer pressure and discharge flow throughout each unload.
  • Verify correct product and designated silo before starting the blower.
  • Complete unloading documentation and obtain POD at every stop.
  • Follow plant-specific PPE, yard-speed and silo-access rules.
  • Record arrival, unload and detention times through Omnitracs.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Mileage and load-based activity pay combine to form the weekly total. A representative week of roughly 2,100 paid miles plus 14 qualifying loads produces the typical $2,100 gross. Upper-end weeks require higher load volume, longer paid mileage or additional qualifying activity.

Advertised Weekly Range $1,700–$2,500
Typical Weekly Gross $2,100
Typical Annualized Gross $109,200
Mileage Component ≈ $0.64 CPM
Load-Based Activity $34–$43 per qualifying load
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500 ($500 after 30 / 90 / 180 days)
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Home most nights
Position Type Local / Short Regional Bulk Tanker
Operating Area Eastern Missouri & southern Illinois
Terminal / Yard Metro East / St. Louis area
Weekly Miles 1,800–2,400 paid/operational
Dispatch Window Approximately 3:30 AM–5:00 AM

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Primary Tractor Kenworth T880 day cabs
Model Years 2022–2025 mixed fleet
Transmission 10-speed manual
In-Cab Systems Omnitracs ELD, in-cab camera, collision-warning on newer units
Trailer Pneumatic dry-bulk tankers (approximately 5–8 years average age)
Unloading Equipment PTO-driven blower, product hoses, pressure gauges, grounding gear

Air-ride suspension is standard. Equipment is assigned when operationally practical; rotation occurs for maintenance or inspections. Roadside issues are coordinated through dispatch and maintenance.

Real Routes

Portland cement, fly ash, dry lime and compatible dry-bulk construction materials move from terminals to ready-mix plants, precast operations, highway contractors and industrial yards. Silo demand—not balanced backhaul—drives the day’s sequence.

  • Sauget, IL → St. Louis, MO and St. Charles, MO short hauls
  • Sauget, IL → Columbia, MO and Belleville, IL runs
  • St. Louis, MO → Rolla, Springfield IL, Cape Girardeau, Edwardsville IL
  • Metro East IL → Farmington MO and Washington MO
  • Primary corridors: I-55, I-64, I-70, I-44, I-270, I-255
  • Reload sequences common when silos open nearby after first unload

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Report between 3:30 AM and 5:00 AM, complete pre-trip and confirm first load.
  • Load cement or fly ash at the Metro East terminal, then proceed to the first silo.
  • Position the trailer, connect the hose, start the blower and monitor pressure until empty.
  • Obtain POD, secure equipment and receive the next assignment from dispatch.
  • Complete a second or third load depending on distance and silo readiness.
  • Return the tractor and trailer to the terminal or designated yard at the end of the day.
  • Tuesday through Thursday are typically strongest; Friday and occasional Saturday work follow contractor schedules.

About the Regional Bulk Operation

Construction and ready-mix operations across the St. Louis bi-state market rely on steady dry-bulk pneumatic capacity to keep silos supplied ahead of pour schedules. This regional bulk operation fills that need by moving cement, fly ash and lime from local terminals to plants and job sites on both sides of the Mississippi. The focus stays exclusively on specialized pneumatic trailers rather than general freight, with early-morning loads timed to the rhythm of concrete production and infrastructure work. Dispatch and maintenance remain closely linked to customer silo status and equipment readiness so drivers can complete multiple productive moves in a single day.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Paid Time Paid holidays; paid orientation
Safety & PPE Monthly safety incentive; annual boot/PPE allowance
Training Support Pneumatic equipment refresher training
Other Terminal parking; roadside assistance coordination; paid DOT physical renewal

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL with tanker endorsement; minimum age 21
  • Minimum 2 years CDL-A experience; pneumatic or dry-bulk preferred
  • Acceptable MVR; no serious recent moving violations
  • Meet DOT physical and drug/alcohol testing requirements
  • Ability to climb ladders, handle hoses and work around construction sites

Operational Delays

  • Customer silo full or occupied by another truck
  • Morning congestion on I-270, I-55, I-64 and river crossings
  • Construction zones and lane restrictions altering travel times
  • Weather shutting down concrete placement or slowing production
  • Receiving-system problems or crew delays at the plant

Hiring Process

1
Application Review
CDL status, experience and tanker background
2
Recruiter Screening
Schedule, equipment experience and pay discussion
3
MVR & Verification
Driving record and prior employment review
4
DOT Compliance
Drug screen, Clearinghouse query, physical documentation
5
Orientation & First Dispatch
Paid orientation, equipment assignment, first load

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many loads are typical in a productive day? ▼
Two or three pneumatic moves are common when silos are available and haul distances stay moderate. Longer runs to Rolla or Cape Girardeau can reduce the daily total.
Q: Is the unloading process no-touch? ▼
No. Drivers connect hoses, operate the PTO/blower, monitor pressure and remain responsible for the full unload at the customer silo.
Q: What happens if a silo is full when I arrive? ▼
Dispatch is notified immediately. The next assignment is often adjusted to a nearby plant that has capacity rather than waiting indefinitely.
Q: How often is Saturday or Sunday work required? ▼
Saturday work is possible during peak paving or infrastructure projects. Sunday work is generally limited, but schedules can vary with project demand and customer requirements.
Q: How long does a normal unload take? ▼
Many ready-mix plants turn a truck in 45–60 minutes when the silo is ready. Congestion or equipment issues can push stops past an hour.
Q: Will I leave loaded trailers unattended overnight? ▼
Terminal parking is preferred. Loaded pneumatic trailers are not left at random locations; customer yards are used only when dispatch directs an early appointment stay.
Q: How quickly can I start after applying? ▼
Most qualified applicants move from application to first dispatch in 5–10 business days once MVR, verification and DOT requirements clear.

CDL Job Market — St. Louis

St. Louis supports a mature, competitive CDL-A market drawn from national carriers, regional fleets, LTL operations, dedicated distribution, tanker companies and construction-material haulers. Ordinary dry-van seats remain relatively plentiful, yet demand tightens for drivers who already hold tanker endorsements and can handle specialized equipment. Pneumatic bulk and industrial tanker positions consistently attract fewer applicants than standard local or regional van work because the candidate pool shrinks once blower operation, hose handling and construction-site experience become requirements. Home-daily and short-regional tanker roles stay active, with many carriers offering hourly or hybrid pay structures rather than pure CPM. Drivers who combine a clean record with proven bulk or construction freight experience therefore occupy a narrower, higher-value segment of the local labor market.

Location & Freight Market — St. Louis

The St. Louis bi-state region sits at the junction of major interstate corridors and the Mississippi River freight system, creating a natural hub for construction-material movement. I-55 anchors north-south traffic while I-64 and I-70 carry east-west flows; I-270 and I-255 supply critical bypass and Metro East connections. Ready-mix plants, precast yards, highway contractors and industrial material terminals on both sides of the river generate steady demand for cement, fly ash and lime. River terminals, rail infrastructure and large logistics districts further concentrate dry-bulk activity. More than $1.6 billion in area transportation construction remained active as of mid-2026, supporting high volumes of infrastructure-related freight through the warmer months. Winter weather reduces paving and concrete placement, shifting emphasis toward industrial and warehouse accounts, yet the underlying network of plants and terminals keeps bulk movements active year-round.

Start Your Application