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Auto hauler vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between auto haulers and tractor-trailer drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an auto hauler and a tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $44,241 average annual salary of an auto hauler.

The top three skills for an auto hauler include federal regulations, log book and . The most important skills for a tractor-trailer driver are DOT, CDL, and OTR.

Auto hauler vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Auto HaulerTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$44,241$58,498
Hourly rate$21.27$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs5,489690,787
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 67%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Auto hauler vs tractor-trailer driver salary

Auto haulers and tractor-trailer drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto HaulerTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$44,241$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $79,000Between $40,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Atlanta, GA
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Exel Inc.
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between auto hauler and tractor-trailer driver education

There are a few differences between an auto hauler and a tractor-trailer driver in terms of educational background:

Auto HaulerTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 67%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorMarketingBusiness
Most common college--

Auto hauler vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

Here are the differences between auto haulers' and tractor-trailer drivers' demographics:

Auto HaulerTractor-Trailer Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 97.0% Female, 3.0%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto hauler and tractor-trailer driver duties and responsibilities

Auto hauler example responsibilities.

  • Inspect vehicles for damage, detail, locate them by VIN number and take them to the proper area.
  • Inspect vehicles for damage, detail, locate them by VIN number and take them to the proper area.

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Auto hauler vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common auto hauler skills
  • Federal Regulations, 98%
  • Log Book, 2%
Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

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