Post job

Auto transport driver vs tow truck driver

The differences between auto transport drivers and tow truck 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 tow truck driver. Additionally, an auto transport driver has an average salary of $51,450, which is higher than the $38,555 average annual salary of a tow truck driver.

The top three skills for an auto transport driver include transport vehicles, CDL and customer service. The most important skills for a tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.

Auto transport driver vs tow truck driver overview

Auto Transport DriverTow Truck Driver
Yearly salary$51,450$38,555
Hourly rate$24.74$18.54
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,161666,918
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Auto transport driver vs tow truck driver salary

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

Auto Transport DriverTow Truck Driver
Average salary$51,450$38,555
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-City of Detroit
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between auto transport driver and tow truck driver education

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

Auto Transport DriverTow Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorBusinessAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Auto transport driver vs tow truck driver demographics

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

Auto Transport DriverTow Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 87.2% Female, 12.8%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto transport driver and tow truck 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.

Tow truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Operate tow truck and equipment (dollies, go jacks).
  • Drive rollback tow truck, load and unload cars, secure cars on truck bed, operate hydraulic, maintain truck
  • Right eye injury and ineligibility for CDL )
  • Job require current CDL with clean driving record.
  • Maintain contracts with several companies as well as CHP work.
  • Show more

Auto transport driver vs tow truck driver skills

Common auto transport driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 45%
  • CDL, 18%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Load Vehicles, 6%
  • TWIC, 6%
  • Delivery Schedules, 3%
Common tow truck driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 22%
  • CDL, 17%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Loaders, 10%
  • AAA, 8%
  • Fuel Delivery, 5%

Browse transportation jobs