Regional CDL-A Position Steel Coil Flatbed

CDL-A Regional Steel Coil Flatbed Truck Driver — Tacoma, WA

Hiring Radius: Washington & Oregon • Terminal: Tacoma-area

Tacoma, WA Regional Flatbed 2020–2025 Fleet

Haul steel coils and industrial metal products on Washington and Oregon regional lanes for $1,550–$1,850 per week with 1–2 nights out and most weekends home.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,550–$1,850
Estimated Annual: $80,600–$96,200
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time 1–2 nights out • Most weekends home
Pay Structure $0.68/mile + $50/load
Weekly Miles 2,050–2,400
Freight Steel Coils & Metal Products

Position Overview

Dense steel products move between Tacoma-area distributors, transload yards, metal processors and fabrication facilities across the Pacific Northwest.

  • Load and secure steel coils and related metal products using company and FMCSA procedures.
  • Inspect chains, binders, straps, edge protection and coil securement before departure.
  • Verify axle weights, load position and shipping documents at pickup.
  • Make regional deliveries across Washington and Oregon industrial corridors.
  • Report detention, appointment changes, traffic and HOS limitations to dispatch.
  • Complete securement checks and electronic POD/BOL documentation during the trip.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Base mileage is supplemented by activity pay earned only on completed steel loads and qualifying detention.

Typical Weekly Gross $1,550–$1,850
Estimated Annual $80,600–$96,200
Mileage Rate $0.68 per paid mile
Steel Load Pay $50 per completed load
Detention $35/hour after qualifying wait
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 paid in 3 installments at 30, 90 and 180 days
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time 1–2 nights out, most weekends home
Operating Corridor Washington & Oregon (occasional Idaho)
Terminal Tacoma-area yard
Typical Weekly Miles 2,050–2,400 paid
Dispatch Window 4:00–7:00 AM starts

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Age 2020–2025
Tractor Makes Freightliner Cascadia and Volvo VNL sleepers
Transmission Automated manual
Safety Systems Collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise
Assignment Assigned tractor when available; occasional slip-seat

Trailers are 48–53 ft flatbeds, including coil-configured units with coil wells or racks where applicable. Standard gear includes heavy-duty chains, ratchet binders, grade-rated straps, edge protection, blocking, dunnage, friction material and coil chocks. Tarps are carried when customer or weather conditions require them. All tractors run ELD with electronic DVIR, forward-facing cameras and engine braking. Maintenance is handled through the Tacoma-area shop and approved regional vendors.

Real Routes

Outbound steel from Tacoma-area distributors, transload yards and metal processors forms the core of the operation, with reloads arranged from compatible industrial customers.

  • Steel coils, flat-rolled steel, sheet, plate, fabricated and structural steel products
  • Primary lanes: Tacoma → Portland, Tacoma → Seattle, Tacoma → Everett, Tacoma → Vancouver WA
  • Additional lanes: Tacoma → Longview, Tacoma → Spokane, Tacoma → Pasco, Portland → Tacoma
  • Corridors: I-5, SR-167, SR-18, I-90, I-82, US-12, I-205, I-84
  • Local and short regional repositioning may include Kent, Auburn, Fife, Sumner and Puyallup
  • Backhauls may be steel, fabricated metal or building materials; truck may be repositioned if no suitable load is available

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Load details arrive the prior afternoon or evening; final confirmation comes before the start.
  • Pre-trip and trailer inspection take place at the Tacoma yard between 4:00 and 7:00 AM.
  • Gate check-in at the steel facility is followed by staging for crane or forklift loading.
  • Axle weights, coil position, securement and paperwork are verified before departure.
  • After delivery the driver submits the POD and receives the next dispatch based on customer availability.
  • Typically 3–6 loaded moves per week depending on lane length, appointments and reload availability.
  • Overnight parking is planned at the terminal, approved customer yards or established truck stops.

About the Carrier

Metal products moving between South Puget Sound distributors, transload yards, processors and fabrication shops require carriers that can manage dense loads, axle distribution and proper securement. This mid-sized regional operation concentrates on steel-coil and related industrial freight within Washington and Oregon, connecting Tacoma-area facilities with manufacturing and construction customers. Keeping drivers and equipment focused on the industrial network rather than general dry-van lanes allows consistent specialized capacity for customers who need reliable coil handling without long-haul OTR cycles.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Medical / Dental / Vision Employee contribution plans
Retirement 401(k) with company match after eligibility
Orientation Paid at Tacoma terminal
Equipment Support Company-supplied chains, binders and securement gear
Additional Safety apparel, paid DOT physical, electronic toll transponder

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL; meet all FMCSA/DOT requirements
  • 12 months CDL-A preferred; 6 months flatbed experience preferred
  • Steel, coil or specialized-load experience strongly preferred
  • Safe driving history; pass DOT drug/alcohol test and Clearinghouse query
  • Ability to climb flatbeds, handle chains and straps, and work outdoors in Pacific Northwest weather

Operational Delays

  • Gate congestion and crane availability at steel facilities
  • I-5 traffic around Tacoma, Seattle and Portland
  • Appointment changes or production holds at manufacturing sites
  • Winter weather and mountain-pass conditions on Eastern Washington runs
  • Trailer availability when coil-configured equipment is committed to other loads

Hiring Process

1
Recruiter Call
Within one business day
2
Screening
MVR, employment verification, drug screen, Clearinghouse
3
Orientation
Paid coil securement training at Tacoma terminal
4
First Dispatch
Tractor assignment and first load

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is coil experience required or can solid flatbed experience qualify? ▼
Solid flatbed experience is considered. Company-specific coil procedures are taught during paid orientation.
Q: How often does the job require overnight stays outside the Tacoma area? ▼
Most weeks involve one to two nights away. Extended Spokane or Oregon assignments can occasionally change the pattern.
Q: Are backhauls always steel? ▼
No. Reloads may be fabricated metal, building materials or another compatible flatbed commodity depending on customer demand.
Q: Does the driver operate the crane at steel facilities? ▼
No. Yard personnel handle crane and forklift operations. The driver positions the trailer and verifies securement.
Q: Is drop-and-hook common? ▼
Less common than in dry van. Most loads require direct attention to trailer, coil position and securement configuration.
Q: How long does the hiring process usually take? ▼
Approximately 5–10 business days depending on verification and screening turnaround.

CDL Job Market

Tacoma and the South Puget Sound have a diverse CDL-A market built around port activity, manufacturing, construction supply, regional distribution and specialized industrial freight. Local flatbed postings in Tacoma show compensation around the low-$30s per hour, while regional specialized carriers commonly use mileage plus load and detention pay. Port-related, LTL, construction-material and industrial fleets compete for experienced drivers throughout the year. Demand stays consistent because manufacturing, metals distribution and construction activity generate steady volume that requires drivers comfortable with dense loads and industrial yards.

Location & Freight Market

The Port of Tacoma anchors an industrial corridor that stretches through Fife, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and into Seattle. Marine cargo, metal distributors, fabrication shops, construction suppliers and manufacturing plants create ongoing demand for specialized flatbed capacity. Steel coils and related products move from distributors and transload yards to regional receivers along I-5, SR-167 and connecting corridors into Oregon. Construction activity and industrial production keep volumes relatively stable across seasons, while Eastern Washington lanes add occasional longer movements when balance requires. The mix of port volume, local manufacturing and regional distribution networks supports consistent specialized steel and industrial flatbed work in the Tacoma market.

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