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Carrier driver vs contract driver

The differences between carrier drivers and contract 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 contract driver. Additionally, a contract driver has an average salary of $34,999, 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 contract driver are DOT, CDL, and tractor trailer.

Carrier driver vs contract driver overview

Carrier DriverContract Driver
Yearly salary$33,256$34,999
Hourly rate$15.99$16.83
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs743,9591,007,663
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Carrier driver vs contract driver salary

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

Carrier DriverContract Driver
Average salary$33,256$34,999
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $58,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between carrier driver and contract driver education

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

Carrier DriverContract Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Carrier driver vs contract driver demographics

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

Carrier DriverContract Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 70.7% Female, 29.3%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between carrier driver and contract 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

Contract driver example responsibilities.

  • Transport customers of the UBER App.
  • Train new employees on CSA regulations.
  • Contract cdl driver to fill need manpower.
  • Teach drivers complete paperwork and train on CSA.
  • DOT, local, state (provincial) and federal requirements
  • Assist with marekting and creation of LYFT brand in area.
  • Show more

Carrier driver vs contract driver skills

Common carrier driver skills
  • CDL, 63%
  • Delivery Route, 18%
  • DOT, 9%
  • Newspapers, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 1%
  • Traffic Laws, 1%
Common contract driver skills
  • DOT, 25%
  • CDL, 19%
  • Tractor Trailer, 16%
  • Safety Regulations, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • On-Time Deliveries, 6%

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