Transportation & Driving Jobs in Arlington, TX

Arlington sits between I-20, I-30 and SH 360, so drivers here work everything from school bus routes for three districts to Class A freight runs from local plants. School bus drivers in the area start near $22 to $25 an hour. The guides below cover every driving role in Arlington.

Bus Driver Jobs CDL Truck Driver Jobs Courier Jobs Delivery Driver Jobs Dispatcher Jobs Heavy Haul Driver Jobs Owner Operator Truck Driver Jobs

Why Transportation & Driving Work Is Different in Arlington

Arlington is one of the largest US cities with no fixed-route bus, which shapes the local driving market. Public transit is Arlington On-Demand, a city-contracted rideshare run by Via, so the big public-sector driving employers are school districts instead of a transit agency. Arlington ISD recruits bus drivers and covers their CDL training, Mansfield ISD (which serves sections of Arlington) and Grand Prairie ISD are hiring too, and Trinity Metro in neighboring Fort Worth trains bus operators from scratch.

Freight is the other half. Arlington plants ship daily, so Class A drivers find local delivery work, as at the PCA box plant in Arlington, while carriers in Fort Worth and Grand Prairie recruit for line haul, regional and specialized heavy haul. FedEx Express runs courier stations on E Bardin Rd in Arlington and in Grand Prairie. Because the city sits midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, drivers here can work for terminals on either side of the metro.

Top Transportation & Driving Employers in Arlington

These employers are recruiting drivers in Arlington or the surrounding Tarrant and Dallas County area:

  • Arlington ISD - the city's largest school district recruits bus drivers and attendants and covers CDL training costs.
  • Mansfield ISD - serves sections of Arlington and hires school bus drivers and monitors.
  • Grand Prairie ISD - the district next door is hiring bus drivers at $25 an hour with a CDL.
  • Trinity Metro - Fort Worth's transit agency trains bus operators with no CDL needed to apply.
  • Packaging Corporation of America - the Arlington box plant hires Class A truck drivers for customer deliveries.
  • FedEx Express - hires couriers at its E Bardin Rd station in Arlington and its Grand Prairie station.
  • Lone Star Transportation - the Fort Worth carrier recruits experienced heavy haul drivers and owner operators.

Transportation & Driving Career Paths in Arlington

  • Local delivery without a CDL - Delivery Driver and Courier. A clean record and a standard license get you started.
  • Commercial driving with a CDL - Bus Driver and CDL Truck Driver. Employers often pay for training, and pay steps up quickly once you hold the license.
  • Specialized and independent trucking - Heavy Haul Driver and Owner Operator Truck Driver. These reward years of Class A experience with the highest earnings in the field.
  • Operations - Dispatcher. Plans routes and loads from the office and suits drivers moving off the road.

How to Start a Transportation & Driving Career in Arlington

  • Texas commercial driver license - issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. You hold a commercial learner permit for at least 14 days, complete training, then pass the pre-trip, basic control and road tests. Interstate drivers must be 21; intrastate drivers can start at 18.
  • Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) - FMCSA requires it before a first Class A or B CDL and before first school bus, passenger or hazmat endorsements.
  • School bus driver certification - a DPS course delivered through regional education service centers; ESC Region 11 in Fort Worth runs the 20-hour certification and 8-hour recertification.
  • Employer-paid training - Arlington ISD covers CDL training costs, and Trinity Metro pays operator trainees while they train.
  • Heavy haul permits - oversize and overweight loads move on TxDMV permits, which carriers handle.

A CDL and DOT medical card are legally required for buses and trucks over 26,000 pounds; delivery and courier jobs need only a standard Texas license, though most employers set their own age and driving-record rules.

Transportation & Driving Salaries in Arlington

  • Entry - about $17 to $21 an hour for couriers, delivery drivers and bus operator trainees.
  • Mid - about $19 to $29 an hour for school bus drivers, local Class A drivers and regional CDL drivers.
  • Senior - about $1,300 to $2,500 a week for experienced heavy haul drivers, with owner operators paid a share of line haul revenue instead of wages.

These are estimates from recent area postings. School districts pay by step plans that rise with years of service and offer TRS retirement, while freight carriers pay by the hour, the mile or the load and often add sign-on bonuses. Endorsements, night routes and specialized equipment push pay higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a CDL to drive for a living in Arlington?

Not for every job. Delivery and courier work uses a standard Texas license. Buses and trucks over 26,000 pounds need a Texas CDL from the Department of Public Safety plus a DOT medical card.

Can I get paid CDL training in Arlington?

Yes. Arlington ISD covers training costs for bus drivers, including the CDL, and Trinity Metro pays operator trainees during training.

How much do school bus drivers make near Arlington?

Grand Prairie ISD advertises $25 an hour with a CDL, and Mansfield ISD's 2026-27 pay plan runs bus drivers from $22.26 to $37.47 an hour by step. Pay rises with years of service.

Is there public transit in Arlington for drivers to work for?

Arlington has no fixed-route bus. Its transit is Arlington On-Demand, a rideshare service run by Via, so most bus operator jobs nearby are with school districts or with Trinity Metro in Fort Worth.

How old do I have to be to drive a truck in Texas?

You can hold a Texas CDL for intrastate driving at 18, but you must be 21 to drive across state lines. Mansfield ISD and Trinity Metro both set 21 as their own minimum.

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