Job Snapshot
Weekly Pay Target $1,250–$1,420
Hourly Rate $24.50–$28.00 / Hr
Weekly Hours 50–55 Hours
Home Frequency Home Daily
Equipment Ottawa & Capacity Yard Tractors
Orientation Pay Paid
Freight Touch Level Live Load/Unload Support
Run Territory Port Newark Campus & Local NJ
Position Overview
This CDL-A Yard Jockey position is available with a confidential employer supporting high-volume warehouse operations in the Port Newark–Elizabeth logistics corridor. Drivers move containers and trailers between dock doors, chassis storage, inspection lanes, and staging areas to keep freight flowing for import and export customers.
Work stays primarily on the warehouse campus with occasional short repositioning runs in the immediate Newark/Elizabeth area. Shifts involve steady trailer moves rather than highway miles, with equipment limited to day-cab terminal tractors. The operation runs multiple shifts to match vessel arrivals and warehouse schedules.
Hiring on behalf of a Confidential Carrier — Port Newark Warehouse Operations. Primary activity centers around I-95, New Jersey Turnpike, and port access roads.
Typical Day as Yard Jockey
Shifts usually start between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM with a pre-trip inspection on your assigned Ottawa or Capacity yard tractor. You check the Samsara terminal for the first set of moves, then begin repositioning trailers from overnight arrivals.
Throughout the shift you'll handle 45–80 trailer moves: backing into dock doors for live loads or unloads, pulling empties to storage, swapping chassis, and staging outbound containers. Coordination with warehouse supervisors and gate guards is constant. Peak congestion often hits mid-morning and mid-afternoon when vessels are working.
Dispatch adjusts priorities via radio and Samsara as dock availability changes. At shift end you complete a post-trip, enter any maintenance requests, and park the unit before heading home. Most days finish at the same location you started.
Freight & Yard Operations
Primary Cargo: Import/export containers — retail merchandise, consumer goods, apparel, electronics, building materials
Trailers/Chassis: 20'/40' ocean containers, 45' domestic, dry vans, container chassis
Move Types: 65% live load/unload support, 35% drop & hook staging
Daily Moves: 45–80 trailer repositionings per shift
Compensation
Hourly Rate: $24.50–$28.00 per hour
Weekly Average: $1,250–$1,420 (50–55 hours)
Overtime: After 40 hours where applicable
Sign-on Bonus: $750 paid in thirds ($250 at 30/90/180 days)
Additional Pay: Detention, extra moves, quarterly safety bonus up to $350
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this position home daily? A: Yes. All shifts start and end at the same Port Newark warehouse location.
Q: What kind of equipment will I operate? A: Primarily Ottawa and Capacity yard tractors with automatic transmissions.
Q: How many trailer moves per shift? A: Typically 45–80 moves depending on vessel activity and warehouse volume.
Q: Is a TWIC card required? A: Preferred. Ability to obtain one after hire is acceptable for qualified applicants.
Q: What if I have limited yard experience? A: Port/warehouse background is preferred but we evaluate overall CDL-A experience. Training on specific yard procedures is provided.
Yard Jockey & Port Driving Jobs in Newark, NJ
Newark and the surrounding Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal area serve as one of the largest container gateways on the East Coast. Steady vessel traffic, rail connections through major terminals, and dense warehouse clusters create constant demand for experienced yard jockey drivers who can keep trailers moving efficiently inside busy logistics campuses.
CDL-A drivers working these local port operations spend their days handling ocean containers and chassis rather than long highway runs. The work supports major retail importers, e-commerce fulfillment, and regional distribution centers moving goods from ships to trucks heading to Allentown, Harrisburg, Edison, and other Northeast points via I-95, I-78, and the New Jersey Turnpike.
Yard positions like this one offer predictable home time and hourly pay with overtime during peak import seasons. Drivers familiar with tight yard maneuvering, dock spotting, and coordinating with gate personnel thrive here. The Port Newark market rewards safety-focused professionals who can maintain productivity when congestion builds after large vessel arrivals.
For drivers based in Newark, Elizabeth, Jersey City, or nearby towns, this type of local yard work provides stable earnings without the weeks away from home common in OTR roles. Operations run year-round with surges tied to retail holidays and consistent container volume from international trade.
