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Heavy Vehicle Recovery Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Paramount Recovery Service

Recovery Agent

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Load, secure, and unload vehicles using proper equipment * Perform basic automotive tasks (e.g ... Physically able to lift heavy objects and perform demanding tasks * Excellent problem-solving and ...

Sun West Recovery

LPR Repossession Agent

Punta Gorda, FL · On-site

$55K - $93K/yr

Conducting heavy surveillance and in-field investigations to locate and identify vehicles. * Working closely with our skip tracing and recovery teams to secure collateral. * Conducting discreet in ...

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How much do heavy vehicle recovery jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for heavy vehicle recovery in the United States is $17.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do tow truck drivers make?

Tow truck drivers in the heavy vehicle recovery industry typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, with experienced drivers and those working for specialized companies earning higher wages. Pay can vary based on location, experience, and whether drivers work on commission or hourly, often requiring skills in vehicle handling and roadside assistance.

What is the difference between Heavy Vehicle Recovery vs Towing Operator?

AspectHeavy Vehicle RecoveryTowing Operator
Credentials/CertificationsHeavy vehicle licenses, specialized recovery trainingStandard towing licenses, general vehicle handling
Work EnvironmentOn-road, roadside, and off-road recovery sites for large vehiclesUrban and highway towing for various vehicle sizes
Employer & Industry UsageRecovery companies, transport industry, logisticsTow truck services, roadside assistance providers

Heavy Vehicle Recovery and Towing Operator roles share similarities in licensing and work environments but differ mainly in the specialization for large, heavy vehicles versus general towing services. Heavy Vehicle Recovery focuses on large trucks and machinery, requiring specialized skills and equipment, while Towing Operators handle a broader range of vehicles, including cars and light trucks.

What are heavy vehicle recovery services?

Heavy vehicle recovery services involve the process of removing, towing, or recovering large vehicles such as trucks, buses, or construction equipment that have broken down, been involved in accidents, or are otherwise immobile. These services require specialized equipment and trained operators to safely handle the size and weight of heavy vehicles. Recovery professionals may work in challenging conditions, including highways, construction sites, or off-road locations, to ensure vehicles are moved without causing further damage. Their expertise helps keep roads safe and traffic flowing after incidents involving large vehicles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Heavy Vehicle Recovery Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Heavy Vehicle Recovery Specialist, you need a solid understanding of vehicle mechanics, safe towing procedures, and a valid commercial driver's license (CDL). Familiarity with hydraulic winches, recovery vehicles, and industry safety standards is typically required, along with certifications such as WreckMaster or TRAA. Strong problem-solving skills, calmness under pressure, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial to ensure safe, efficient recoveries and to minimize risk for both the operator and the public during challenging roadside incidents.

What are some common challenges faced in a Heavy Vehicle Recovery role, and how can they be addressed?

Heavy Vehicle Recovery professionals often encounter challenges such as working in adverse weather conditions, handling complex recovery situations on busy roads, and ensuring safety for themselves and others. To address these, thorough training in safety protocols, strong communication skills for coordinating with law enforcement and other responders, and proficiency in operating specialized recovery equipment are essential. Being adaptable and maintaining a calm demeanor under pressure also helps in efficiently managing unexpected situations.
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What job categories do people searching Heavy Vehicle Recovery jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Heavy Vehicle Recovery jobs are:
Heavy Vehicle Recovery jobs near you
Infographic showing various Heavy Vehicle Recovery job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,235 per year, or $17.9 per hour.
Vehicle Recovery, Safety, & Logistics - EAST

Vehicle Recovery, Safety, & Logistics - EAST

Waymo

Los Angeles, CA

Other

Posted 10 hours ago

Job description

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver-The World's Most Experienced Driver-to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

Waymo Operations exists to deliver the Waymo Driver to the world. We are a global team building and scaling the world's first and leading autonomous fleet and operations platform. From component sourcing to end customer management, we enable and create value for Waymo through scaled and orchestrated deployment of the Waymo Driver. At Waymo, we are dedicated to building a culture that promotes collaboration and celebration. We value our team members' unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and support and encourage all team members to share their ideas to help Waymo better serve the communities in which we operate.

In this hybrid role, you will report to the Head of Market Operations - East Region.

You will:

  • Strategic Recovery Operations: Drive the end-to-end development and implementation of a scalable operational framework for on-road vehicle recovery, ensuring seamless towing and roadside support services across multiple high-density markets.

  • Vendor Performance Management: Manage relationships with third-party recovery partners (3PL), holding them to rigorous service-level agreements (SLAs) regarding response times, safety certifications, and equipment readiness.

  • Incident Response & Safety: Act as the primary escalation point for complex recovery scenarios, ensuring all field maneuvers adhere to strict high-voltage (HV) safety standards and autonomous system protocols.

  • Drive Operational Throughput: Optimize "last-mile" logistics by partnering with Depot Operations to streamline the arrival and staging of disabled vehicles, minimizing downtime and maximizing technician throughput.

  • External Stakeholder Liaison: Lead coordination with local Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Municipal DOTs to standardize how autonomous vehicles are handled during roadside incidents.

  • Analyze & Innovate: Use data-driven insights to identify systemic trends and bottlenecks, providing executive-ready reporting that informs fleet-wide efficiency and safety improvements.

You have:

  • An Experienced Leader: You have 5+ years of experience leading large-scale commercial fleet operations, vehicle recovery, or high-stakes logistics.

  • Technical & Safety Oriented: You possess a deep understanding of EV platforms, including high-voltage shutdown procedures and the complexities of towing heavy-battery vehicles.

  • Vendor Management Excellence: Experience managing complex SLAs and driving third-party accountability through data-driven performance audits.

  • Multi-Market Coordination: Demonstrated ability to lead distributed teams across multiple geographies in a high-velocity, 24/7 environment.

  • Data-Driven: You thrive on analytical rigor, using operational metrics to reduce the cost-per-recovery and optimize response times.

  • Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement: Demonstrated success collaborating with internal cross-functional teams, city officials, and regulatory bodies to align operational goals with municipal requirements and safety standards.

We prefer:

  • Executive & Stakeholder Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills with a proven ability to engage and influence senior officials, municipal leaders, and strategic partners across multiple geographic markets.

  • Operational Financial Acumen: Experience managing OpEx budgets and performing cost-benefit analyses for fleet infrastructure, with a focus on optimizing "total cost per recovery" and long-term asset ROI.

  • AV Industry Experience: Direct experience with autonomous vehicle recovery, including the use of "ghosting" software, manual override tools, and calibration-safe transport.

  • First Responder Training: Background in fire science, emergency management, or specialized towing (e.g., WreckMaster certification).

  • Process Engineering: Experience implementing Lean or Six Sigma principles to reduce "roadside dwell time" and operational drag.

  • Regulatory Experience: Familiarity with state-level DMV and DOT regulations regarding autonomous vehicle testing and commercial towing.

Travel requirement:

  • 45% of the time

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.

Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.

Salary Range
$159,000—$196,000 USD

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