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Auto transport driver vs local driver

The differences between auto transport drivers and local 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 local driver. Additionally, an auto transport driver has an average salary of $51,450, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.

The top three skills for an auto transport driver include transport vehicles, CDL and customer service. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Auto transport driver vs local driver overview

Auto Transport DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$51,450$48,160
Hourly rate$24.74$23.15
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,161786,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Auto transport driver vs local driver salary

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

Auto Transport DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$51,450$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Montana
Best paying company-Mid-South Management
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between auto transport driver and local driver education

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

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

Auto transport driver vs local driver demographics

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

Auto Transport DriverLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 87.2% Female, 12.8%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto transport driver and local 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.

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Auto transport driver vs local driver skills

Common auto transport driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 45%
  • CDL, 18%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Load Vehicles, 6%
  • TWIC, 6%
  • Delivery Schedules, 3%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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