If you’re over 60 and looking for a way to earn extra money, truck driving might be worth considering.
You don’t necessarily have to spend weeks on the highway, drive through the night, or handle long-distance deliveries to make a decent hourly wage.
There are truck driving jobs that keep you close to home, offer predictable schedules, and involve shorter trips.
Some positions may even pay around $25 to $30 per hour, depending on the employer, location, experience, and type of vehicle you drive.
For seniors who enjoy driving and want to stay active without taking on an overly demanding job, these opportunities can be appealing.
The trick is knowing which positions to look for.
Some truck driving jobs involve heavy lifting, tight delivery deadlines, long hours, or difficult routes. Others focus on local deliveries, moving vehicles between nearby locations, or transporting equipment on a set schedule. The second group may be a better fit if you’re looking for something less stressful.
In this guide, we’ll explore 10 truck driving jobs worth considering, what each job involves, how much you might earn, and where to look for openings.
1. Local Box Truck Driver
If you want to drive a truck without spending several days away from home, consider becoming a local box truck driver.
Box trucks are the vehicles you often see delivering furniture, appliances, office supplies, and business equipment. They’re smaller than most tractor-trailers, which can make them easier to maneuver in certain situations.
Your workday might involve picking up goods from a warehouse, delivering them to local businesses, and returning to the same facility when your route is complete.
For seniors, the biggest advantage is the possibility of having a regular route and a predictable schedule. Some employers offer morning shifts, daytime hours, and five-day workweeks.
Potential pay: Around $18 to $30 per hour, depending on the employer, location, vehicle size, and experience.
Why it may be less stressful: Local routes can reduce overnight travel, and familiar delivery areas can make planning easier.
What to watch out for: Some box truck jobs involve carrying furniture, moving appliances, or unloading heavy packages. Look for driving-only positions or jobs that provide a helper for deliveries.
You may also need a regular driver’s license for certain smaller vehicles, while heavier commercial vehicles may require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Check the vehicle’s weight rating and the employer’s requirements.
Where to find jobs: Search local moving companies, office supply distributors, furniture delivery companies, and warehouse employers. Use search terms such as “local box truck driver, no overnight routes” and “day shift box truck driver.”
This job is worth exploring if you enjoy driving around town and want to be home at the end of the day.
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2. Local CDL Truck Driver
Already have a CDL? You may be able to earn a solid income without choosing a long-haul trucking lifestyle.
Local CDL drivers transport freight between warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and nearby businesses. Some work within a single city or metropolitan area.
Instead of driving across several states, you might complete a handful of scheduled trips and return to your terminal after each shift.
Some local positions pay around $25 to $30 per hour, especially when employers need experienced drivers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2025 median annual wage of $58,640 for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, equivalent to roughly $28.19 per hour when divided by 2,080 hours.
Potential pay: Around $23 to $35 per hour, depending on the employer and assignment.
Why it may be less stressful: You can target daytime shifts, short routes, and positions that let you return home every day.
What to watch out for: Not every local CDL job is easy. Some require backing into tight loading docks, handling heavy freight, or working overnight. City traffic can also be tiring.
When searching, look for companies that offer dedicated local routes, automatic-transmission trucks, and scheduled delivery windows.
Ask whether you will be responsible for loading and unloading. A job that pays $30 per hour but requires constant heavy lifting may not be the right fit.
This option is especially attractive for retired truckers who want to use their existing skills without returning to cross-country driving.
Check out these side hustle ideas for seniors that pay well.
3. Yard Jockey or Yard Truck Driver
Have you ever noticed the small specialized trucks moving trailers around the yards of large warehouses? Those vehicles are often operated by yard jockeys, also called yard drivers or hostler drivers.
Their job is to move trailers between parking spaces, loading docks, and designated staging areas.
Instead of traveling long distances, you generally remain within a distribution center, manufacturing facility, or freight terminal.
That can make the work appealing to seniors who prefer a familiar environment. You may repeat similar movements throughout the shift rather than navigating unfamiliar highways.
Potential pay: Around $20 to $30 per hour, depending on the facility, shift, and qualifications.
Why it may be less stressful: There is little or no long-distance travel, and the work area is usually familiar.
What to watch out for: You must remain alert. Moving trailers around other trucks, workers, and loading docks requires concentration. Some employers operate around the clock, so night shifts may be common.
You might need a CDL, depending on the vehicle and applicable requirements. Some employers also require previous commercial driving experience.
If you want to apply, search for “yard jockey,” “yard truck driver,” “hostler driver,” and “distribution center yard driver.”
Check whether the job is strictly yard work or includes road driving. Also ask about the number of trailers you move per shift and whether the employer provides structured training.
For a senior who enjoys operating vehicles and prefers staying close to one location, this could be a practical alternative to traditional trucking.
4. Medical Supply Delivery Truck Driver
Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and medical supply companies need drivers to move essential products between facilities.
These deliveries may include packaged medical supplies, protective equipment, laboratory materials, and other healthcare products. The exact duties depend on the employer.
Some positions involve driving a cargo van or smaller delivery truck rather than a heavy tractor-trailer.
That can make them accessible to applicants who don’t hold a CDL, provided the vehicle and job fall within applicable licensing rules.
A typical day may involve collecting supplies, following a planned route, obtaining delivery signatures, and returning to the distribution center.
Potential pay: Around $17 to $27 per hour, with some specialized or higher-paying positions reaching $30.
Why it may be less stressful: Routes can be scheduled in advance, deliveries are often to established facilities, and some positions offer daytime hours.
What to watch out for: Medical deliveries can be time-sensitive. Some employers require strict handling procedures, background checks, or additional training. Certain materials also require special precautions.
Look for jobs with medical supply distributors, hospital systems, laboratory logistics companies, and healthcare equipment providers.
Try searches such as “medical supply delivery driver,” “hospital courier driver,” and “medical logistics driver.”
Before applying, ask how many stops you will make each day, whether lifting is required, and whether the position involves transporting regulated or temperature-sensitive materials.
This job may suit seniors who are dependable, organized, and comfortable following detailed delivery instructions.
5. Dump Truck Driver for Local Construction Projects
Dump truck driving can be a good option for experienced drivers who prefer working within a local area.
These drivers transport materials such as gravel, sand, dirt, and asphalt to construction sites. They may also move debris away from a worksite.
Some positions involve making repeated trips between a quarry, supplier, and nearby construction project. You might return home at the end of the shift instead of staying on the road overnight.
Potential pay: Around $22 to $30 per hour, with higher rates possible for experienced drivers in certain markets.
Why it may be less stressful: Short, repeated routes can be easier to plan than long-distance freight trips.
What to watch out for: Construction work can be physically demanding and may involve uneven ground, dust, heat, early starts, and changing work locations. Backing up around equipment and workers requires particular care.
Most heavy dump truck positions require a CDL, often a Class B license or another appropriate class depending on the vehicle. Employers may also require construction-site experience.
If you have a background in trucking, construction, or commercial vehicle operation, your experience could be useful.
Search for “local dump truck driver,” “day shift dump truck driver,” and “construction truck driver, home daily.”
Try to find an employer with established routes, maintained equipment, and reasonable scheduling.
If you prefer avoiding physically demanding environments, choose another option on this list.
6. Beverage Delivery Truck Driver
Beverage distributors deliver bottled water, soft drinks, juices, and other packaged drinks to grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, and convenience stores.
The driving itself may involve short regional routes with familiar customers.
You may also have a consistent schedule and know where you will be delivering each day.
That sounds appealing, but there’s an important detail to consider.
Beverage delivery can involve a lot of heavy lifting. Drivers may be expected to move cases, stock shelves, or operate hand trucks. Some jobs combine driving with sales and customer service.
Potential pay: Around $20 to $30 per hour, depending on the employer and duties.
Why it may be less stressful: Local routes and repeat customers can provide a predictable routine.
What to watch out for: Physical demands can be substantial. A driving-only position is usually a better choice if you want to avoid lifting cases throughout the day.
Search for “beverage delivery driver,” “local beverage truck driver,” and “CDL delivery driver, no unloading.”
When you find an opening, ask whether helpers handle the unloading, whether the employer uses powered equipment, and how many stops are scheduled each day.
Some companies offer hourly pay, while others use different compensation structures. Confirm the guaranteed base rate rather than relying on advertised earning potential.
This job is worth considering if you enjoy local driving, customer interaction, and a routine that keeps you moving. Just make sure the physical requirements fit your needs.
7. Auto Parts Delivery Truck Driver
If you enjoy driving but don’t want to haul large loads, auto parts delivery could be a good fit.
Auto parts stores and distributors deliver items to repair shops, dealerships, tire centers, and other businesses. Depending on the employer, you might deliver filters, brake components, batteries, tools, and other automotive supplies.
Many routes stay within one city or surrounding area. You may visit the same repair shops several times a week, which makes the job easier to learn over time.
Some employers use cargo vans or light-duty delivery trucks. Others use larger vehicles, so the licensing requirements can differ.
Potential pay: Around $16 to $25 per hour, with some experienced or specialized positions approaching $30.
Why it may be less stressful: Routes are often local, deliveries are usually relatively small, and the work may not involve long-distance driving.
What to watch out for: You may have to lift heavy parts, handle batteries, or make multiple stops under time pressure. Some positions also require weekend availability.
Look for auto parts distributors, local parts warehouses, dealership groups, and commercial fleet suppliers.
Search for “auto parts delivery driver,” “automotive parts truck driver,” and “local parts delivery driver.”
When reviewing a job listing, pay attention to the words “driver only” and “no heavy lifting.” Ask about the size of the vehicle, number of daily stops, and whether you must collect payments or sell products.
This job may be especially appealing if you want to supplement Social Security or retirement savings without committing to a full-time, long-distance trucking schedule.
8. Farm Supply or Agricultural Delivery Truck Driver
Live in a rural area or near farming communities? Consider looking into agricultural delivery jobs.
Farm supply businesses transport products such as animal feed, seed, fertilizer, and farming equipment. Some companies also deliver supplies to local farms and agricultural businesses.
Depending on the position, you might drive a straight truck along established rural routes or operate a larger commercial vehicle.
Some employers offer regular routes during particular seasons. Others maintain year-round delivery schedules.
Potential pay: Around $20 to $30 per hour, depending on the type of truck, region, and experience.
Why it may be less stressful: Rural routes may involve less congestion than busy city streets, and repeat customers can make deliveries more predictable.
What to watch out for: Rural roads can be narrow or poorly maintained. Some products are heavy, and fertilizer or other agricultural materials may require special handling. Workloads can increase during planting and harvest seasons.
Search for openings with agricultural cooperatives, farm supply distributors, grain businesses, and rural equipment suppliers.
Try phrases such as “local farm supply truck driver,” “agricultural delivery driver,” and “CDL driver, home daily.”
Ask whether the company provides mechanical loading equipment, whether drivers unload the truck themselves, and whether the job involves transporting regulated materials.
This option may be worth exploring if you live outside a major city and prefer a job that keeps you in your local community.
9. Garbage and Recycling Truck Driver
Waste collection companies and municipal governments employ drivers to collect garbage, recycling, and other waste from hom