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Auto transport driver vs lead driver

The differences between auto transport drivers and lead 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 lead driver. Additionally, an auto transport driver has an average salary of $51,450, which is higher than the $43,769 average annual salary of a lead driver.

The top three skills for an auto transport driver include transport vehicles, CDL and customer service. The most important skills for a lead driver are DOT, work ethic, and CDL.

Auto transport driver vs lead driver overview

Auto Transport DriverLead Driver
Yearly salary$51,450$43,769
Hourly rate$24.74$21.04
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,161821,463
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Auto transport driver vs lead driver salary

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

Auto Transport DriverLead Driver
Average salary$51,450$43,769
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $27,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City-Newark, NJ
Highest paying state-New Hampshire
Best paying company-Univar
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between auto transport driver and lead driver education

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

Auto Transport DriverLead Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Auto transport driver vs lead driver demographics

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

Auto Transport DriverLead Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 87.2% Female, 12.8%Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%
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, 12.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto transport driver and lead 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.

Lead driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage the Lincoln driver workgroup.
  • Transport freight OTR and train drivers.
  • Train new drivers on all aspects of OTR driving.
  • Investigate driver accidents and injuries and review driver CDL license and medical cards.
  • Position require various FAA and Hazmat certifications.
  • Recognize by manager for implementing significant cost saving strategies relate to meeting drug testing requirements for CDL professionals
  • Show more

Auto transport driver vs lead driver skills

Common auto transport driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 45%
  • CDL, 18%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Load Vehicles, 6%
  • TWIC, 6%
  • Delivery Schedules, 3%
Common lead driver skills
  • DOT, 28%
  • Work Ethic, 16%
  • CDL, 10%
  • OTR, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Tractor Trailer, 3%

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