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Carrier driver vs commercial driver

The differences between carrier drivers and commercial drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a carrier driver and a commercial driver. Additionally, a commercial driver has an average salary of $46,852, which is higher than the $33,256 average annual salary of a carrier driver.

The top three skills for a carrier driver include CDL, delivery route and DOT. The most important skills for a commercial driver are customer service, CDL, and ladders.

Carrier driver vs commercial driver overview

Carrier DriverCommercial Driver
Yearly salary$33,256$46,852
Hourly rate$15.99$22.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs743,9591,016,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Carrier driver vs commercial driver salary

Carrier drivers and commercial drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Carrier DriverCommercial Driver
Average salary$33,256$46,852
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $58,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Laramie County Community College
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between carrier driver and commercial driver education

There are a few differences between a carrier driver and a commercial driver in terms of educational background:

Carrier DriverCommercial Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Carrier driver vs commercial driver demographics

Here are the differences between carrier drivers' and commercial drivers' demographics:

Carrier DriverCommercial Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 70.7% Female, 29.3%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 3.9% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between carrier driver and commercial driver duties and responsibilities

Carrier driver example responsibilities.

  • Update and maintain customer delivery schedule, and deliver newspapers efficiently and accurately.
  • Handle all phases of cash ex: pick up cod's due on vehicles, fuel purchases, tolls, etc.
  • Secure, prepare, and stow ammunition on scout vehicles.
  • Drive and distribute newspapers to businesses, dealers or residences on a designate route.
  • Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
  • Sort packages by region, deliver packages to customers, handle cash-on-delivery payments, process business pickups, utilize DIAD board technology

Commercial driver example responsibilities.

  • Haul HAZMAT with roll-off bins, tankers, flatb, dry vans and dumps.
  • Plan delivery route & schedule using maps and GPS devices.
  • Develop and maintain an efficient routing system utilizing GPS and map.
  • Operate a Volvo commercial truck and transport regional and OTR loads.
  • Train and evaluate entry-level drivers while operating as an OTR flatb driver.
  • Determine if they would benefit from coming to school and obtaining their CDL.
  • Show more

Carrier driver vs commercial driver skills

Common carrier driver skills
  • CDL, 63%
  • Delivery Route, 18%
  • DOT, 9%
  • Newspapers, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 1%
  • Traffic Laws, 1%
Common commercial driver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Customer Orders, 9%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%

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