Hire Step Deck Drivers
Step deck (drop deck) drivers bridge the gap between standard flatbed and lowboy operations. Our step deck specialists handle machinery, industrial equipment, tall cargo, and loads that exceed standard flatbed height limits — with the securement skills to match.
Step Deck Driver Requirements
CDL Class
Class A
Endorsements
None required
Min. Experience
1+ years step deck or flatbed experience
Wage Range
$0.65-$0.90/mile
Special Requirements
- Step deck loading and height clearance awareness
- Experience with ramp loading of machinery and equipment
- Knowledge of axle weight distribution on two-level decks
- Comfort with oversized loads and permit routes
Our Step Deck Driver Pool
3,800+ nationwide
Qualified Drivers
72-120 hours
Avg. Placement Time
$0.65-$0.90/mile
Avg. Wage Range
Step Deck Hiring Challenges We Solve
Very small qualified driver pool — true specialists are scarce
Height miscalculation on step deck loads causes bridge strikes
Ramp loading requires patience and precision
Insurance requirements are more stringent for over-height cargo
Seasonal demand in construction can create idle periods
What Our Step Deck Drivers Bring
Premium rates — step deck commands $0.03-$0.08/mile over flatbed
Less competition for specialized loads
Growing demand as industrial equipment shipments increase
Many loads are shipper-loaded, reducing physical demands
Diverse cargo keeps routes and work engaging
Hire Step Deck Drivers by State
Select a state to see step deck driver availability, wages, and market conditions.
ALAlabamamoderateAKAlaskamoderateAZArizonavery highARArkansashighCACaliforniavery highCOColoradovery highCTConnecticutmoderateDEDelawaremoderateFLFloridavery highGAGeorgiavery highHIHawaiilowIDIdahomoderateILIllinoisvery highINIndianavery highIAIowamoderateKSKansasmoderateKYKentuckyvery highLALouisianahighMEMainelowMDMarylandhighMAMassachusettsmoderateMIMichiganhighMNMinnesotamoderateMSMississippimoderateMOMissourihighMTMontanamoderateNENebraskamoderateNVNevadamoderateNHNew HampshirelowNJNew Jerseyvery highNMNew MexicomoderateNYNew Yorkvery highNCNorth CarolinahighNDNorth DakotamoderateOHOhiovery highOKOklahomamoderateOROregonmoderatePAPennsylvaniavery highRIRhode IslandlowSCSouth CarolinahighSDSouth DakotalowTNTennesseevery highTXTexasvery highUTUtahmoderateVTVermontlowVAVirginiavery highWAWashingtonvery highWVWest VirginiamoderateDCWashington DCmoderateWIWisconsinhighWYWyominglow
Other Equipment Types
Step Deck Driver Staffing FAQ
While both require similar securement skills, step deck drivers need additional expertise in height-clearance management, ramp loading procedures, and axle-weight distribution across the two deck levels. They also must know permit requirements for loads that exceed standard dimensions.
We maintain a pool of over 3,800 qualified step deck drivers nationwide. While this is smaller than our dry van or flatbed pools, step deck is a specialized niche where quality matters more than quantity. Every driver in this pool has verified step deck experience.
Some of our step deck drivers also have RGN (Removable Gooseneck) experience. If you need a driver specifically for lowboy or RGN work, please specify that in your request so we can match from the appropriate subset of our driver pool.
Our step deck drivers commonly haul construction equipment, industrial machinery, tall manufacturing equipment, HVAC units, generators, modular building components, and oversized agricultural equipment. The key advantage of step deck is the extra 12-18 inches of height clearance.
Step deck is a specialized niche. Our 72-120 hour window accounts for matching drivers who have verified experience with your specific cargo type, ensuring they understand the height and weight requirements, and confirming permit availability on your required route.