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Car driver vs truck driver-over-the-road

The differences between car drivers and truck driver-over the roads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a truck driver-over-the-road has an average salary of $69,158, which is higher than the $36,587 average annual salary of a car driver.

The top three skills for a car driver include customer service, CDL and clean vehicle. The most important skills for a truck driver-over-the-road are CDL, OTR, and PET.

Car driver vs truck driver-over-the-road overview

Car DriverTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Yearly salary$36,587$69,158
Hourly rate$17.59$33.25
Growth rate20%4%
Number of jobs165,325689,630
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4748
Years of experience-2

What does a car driver do?

Car drivers are skilled professionals who are responsible for transporting clients comfortably and safely. These drivers are required to pick up clients from the place and time they have requested while using the GPS (Global Positioning System) to navigate and follow directions to transport them to their specified location. They are required to undergo a training program and certification testing to obtain the commercial driver's license (CDL) from the Department of Transportation. These drivers must also comply with the routine to clean vehicle interior to ensure optimal condition of vehicles.

What does a truck driver-over-the-road do?

A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is an individual driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach. To avoid vehicular breakdowns and delays, OTR drivers are required to inspect their trucks and review shipping and transport documents. They are also responsible for unloading freights and collect charges from customers.

Car driver vs truck driver-over-the-road salary

Car drivers and truck driver-over the roads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Car DriverTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Average salary$36,587$69,158
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $58,000Between $50,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYDes Moines, WA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandWashington
Best paying companyTeslaWalmart
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between car driver and truck driver-over-the-road education

There are a few differences between a car driver and a truck driver-over-the-road in terms of educational background:

Car DriverTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Car driver vs truck driver-over-the-road demographics

Here are the differences between car drivers' and truck driver-over the roads' demographics:

Car DriverTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Average age4748
Gender ratioMale, 72.2% Female, 27.8%Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 9.4% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%4%

Differences between car driver and truck driver-over-the-road duties and responsibilities

Car driver example responsibilities.

  • Use of tools and equipment such as drill, ratchet, hedge trimmer , 36' mowers.
  • DOT regulate paperwork and schedule.
  • Complete vouchers and fax to Medicaid.
  • Receive certification in first aid and CPR.
  • Keep all information confidential and abide by HIPPA regulations.
  • Log book use recording times of pickup and drop off.
  • Show more

Truck driver-over-the-road example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Ensure on-time delivery of LTL freight.
  • Transport HazMat products using proper placards and following require routes.
  • Transport basic HAZMAT cargo and ensure trailer are correctly labele.
  • Read maps or GPS to follow written or verbal geographic directions.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the company vehicle as required by your location.
  • Show more

Car driver vs truck driver-over-the-road skills

Common car driver skills
  • Customer Service, 46%
  • CDL, 15%
  • Clean Vehicle, 7%
  • Relevant Safety Regulations, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Medical Appointments, 4%
Common truck driver-over-the-road skills
  • CDL, 34%
  • OTR, 32%
  • PET, 18%
  • Hazmat, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 2%
  • Customer Service, 2%

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