American Truck Simulator Job Market Explained: Contracts, Cargo, and Money Tips

The Job Market is where American Truck Simulator turns driving into income. Every delivery can reward money and XP, but the five job categories do not work the same way. Some are safer for new players, while others pay better and expect more from the driver.

American Truck Simulator Job Market Types

The Job Market includes Quick Jobs, Freight Market, External Contracts, Cargo Market, and External Market. Each type has tradeoffs involving pay, equipment, travel time, cargo risk, and account requirements.

Quick Jobs

Quick Jobs let players work as hired drivers. Available cargo depends on the player's current level and unlocked skills.

The main advantage is that no personal truck is required. The hiring company provides the vehicle, and the player is moved directly to it after accepting the job. Fuel, tolls, and repairs are also covered by the employer.

Not everything is free, though. Ferry fares, train rides, and personal fines still come out of the player's money.

Freight Market

After completing one Quick Job, additional job types become available, including the Freight Market. These jobs allow players to use their own truck.

That means upgrades, familiar handling, and custom setups can all be used. It also means expenses such as fines and repairs come from the player's wallet. Cargo damage reduces the final reward.

Unlike Quick Jobs, Freight Market work does not teleport the player directly to the truck. After accepting the job, travel to the green marker on the map to reach the starting location.

External Contracts

External Contracts sync with a World of Trucks account. The listed jobs usually appear in nearby cities, and accepting one assigns the task immediately. Players generally use their own truck for these deliveries.

External Contract deadlines use real time rather than in-game time. Choose jobs that match the time actually available to play, unless explaining a missed virtual delivery becomes part of the evening.

Instant teleportation features are disabled during External Contracts.

Cargo Market

The Cargo Market was added in the 1.32 update. It works much like the Freight Market, but the player uses their own trailer when that trailer fits the job.

To begin, park the truck and trailer in the highlighted area on the map. Then follow the satnav or Route Advisor to the destination.

Cargo damage is permanent for these jobs, so careful driving matters. Hits to the truck or trailer can reduce the final result.

External Market

The External Market arrived in the 1.35 update. It allows players to accept jobs from other American Truck Simulator players through World of Trucks.

Only normal priority jobs are available in the External Market. After accepting one, the game enforces an automatic 65 mph speed limit.

How to Earn More from the Job Market

This money tip requires access to dynamite deliveries. Open the Freight Market, find a job that transports dynamite, and choose Set as GPS Destination instead of fully accepting it immediately.

Drive to the highlighted location on the map. Then use the cog icon on the lower left of the trailer to choose a trailer type. Pick the trailer that can carry the most cargo, and the reward should increase. Complete the route to claim the higher payout.

In Convoy Mode on an American Truck Simulator server, players need matching skills to take identical jobs.