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Auto transport driver vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between auto transport drivers 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 transport driver and a tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $51,450 average annual salary of an auto transport driver.

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

Auto transport driver vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Auto Transport DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$51,450$58,498
Hourly rate$24.74$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,161690,787
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Auto transport driver vs tractor-trailer driver salary

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

Auto Transport DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$51,450$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $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 transport driver and tractor-trailer driver education

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

Auto Transport DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Auto transport driver vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

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

Auto Transport DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 87.2% Female, 12.8%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
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, 13.7% 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 transport driver and tractor-trailer 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.

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 transport driver vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common auto transport driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 45%
  • CDL, 18%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Load Vehicles, 6%
  • TWIC, 6%
  • Delivery Schedules, 3%
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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