Tractor driver | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Tractor drivers operate farm machinery used to plough fields, plant seeds, and spray and harvest crops.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
Secure cargo

Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid or performing minor repairs.
Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary.
Remove debris from loaded trailers.
Follow special cargo-related procedures, such as checking refrigeration systems for frozen foods or providing food or water for livestock.
Inventory and inspect goods to be moved to determine quantities and conditions.
Wrap and secure goods using pads, packing paper, containers, or straps.
Install or remove special equipment, such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, or sanders.
Operate idle reduction systems or auxiliary power systems to generate power from alternative sources, such as fuel cells, to reduce idling time, to heat or cool truck cabins, or to provide power for other equipment.
Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.
Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers.
Drive electric or hybrid-electric powered trucks or alternative fuel-powered trucks to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
Operate trucks equipped with snowplows or sander attachments to maintain roads in winter weather.

Average salary
24,562 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Tractor driver

24,740 GBP
20,821 GBP

Average salary for part-time Tractor driver

Average salary for full-time Tractor driver

Showing:

10,639 GBP
10,784 GBP

24,562 GBP
20,821 GBP
24,740 GBP

Salary over time for Tractor driver

Pay for this role has increased slightly over time

21,396 GBP
21,579 GBP
22,471 GBP
23,279 GBP
23,876 GBP
24,686 GBP
24,562 GBP
24,667 GBP
29,019 GBP

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Future outlook for Tractor drivers

Balanced outlook

300 000+ jobs available

Very good outlook

4% yearly wage growth (on average)

Fair outlook

66% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Tractor driver and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

56% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
19% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications
15% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma

You could do a Level 2 Award in Tractor Driving and Related Occupations course at an agricultural college.

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Tractor driver

Driving

What soft skills do I need?

Rise above the competition by brushing up on the 5 most important soft skills you need to become a Tractor driver.

Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems

Operation Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly

Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others

Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action

What technical skills do I need?

Technical skills are programmes, softwares and things you need to know in order to be a successful Tractor driver. Check that you know:

Data base user interface and query software ddlsoftware.com drivers daily log program DDL; Fog Line Software Truckn Pro; TruckersHelper

Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Route navigation software ALK Technologies PC*Miler; MarcoSoft Quo Vadis

Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel

Improve your skills today

Driving

Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

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Tractor driver | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

Similar Courses

Safe Driving Awareness Training

Controlling Driving Related Hazards

Tractor Driving Experience Day

Driving Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Tractor Driving and Operation (Lantra Awards)

Pass Your Driving Test - Theory & Practical Prep Training Course

Tractor Driving and Operation Refresher (Lantra Awards)

Tractor Driving Introduction (Tractor and Trailer only)

Driver Safety Awareness Online Training Course

Future outlook for Tractor drivers

Tractor driver - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

What soft skills do I need?

What technical skills do I need?

Things to highlight for your Tractor driver interview

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