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Auto transport driver vs contract driver

The differences between auto transport drivers and contract 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 transport driver and a contract driver. Additionally, an auto transport driver has an average salary of $51,450, which is higher than the $34,999 average annual salary of a contract driver.

The top three skills for an auto transport driver include transport vehicles, CDL and customer service. The most important skills for a contract driver are DOT, CDL, and tractor trailer.

Auto transport driver vs contract driver overview

Auto Transport DriverContract Driver
Yearly salary$51,450$34,999
Hourly rate$24.74$16.83
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,1611,007,663
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Auto transport driver vs contract driver salary

Auto transport drivers and contract drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto Transport DriverContract Driver
Average salary$51,450$34,999
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between auto transport driver and contract driver education

There are a few differences between an auto transport driver and a contract driver in terms of educational background:

Auto Transport DriverContract Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Auto transport driver vs contract driver demographics

Here are the differences between auto transport drivers' and contract drivers' demographics:

Auto Transport DriverContract Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 87.2% Female, 12.8%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto transport driver and contract driver duties and responsibilities

Auto transport driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Drive tractor-trailer combination applying knowledge of commercial driving regulations, to transport and deliver general commodities.
  • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

Contract driver example responsibilities.

  • Transport customers of the UBER App.
  • Train new employees on CSA regulations.
  • Contract cdl driver to fill need manpower.
  • Teach drivers complete paperwork and train on CSA.
  • DOT, local, state (provincial) and federal requirements
  • Assist with marekting and creation of LYFT brand in area.
  • Show more

Auto transport driver vs contract driver skills

Common auto transport driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 45%
  • CDL, 18%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Load Vehicles, 6%
  • TWIC, 6%
  • Delivery Schedules, 3%
Common contract driver skills
  • DOT, 25%
  • CDL, 19%
  • Tractor Trailer, 16%
  • Safety Regulations, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • On-Time Deliveries, 6%

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