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The differences between cdl class a drivers and van 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 cdl class a driver and a van driver. Additionally, a cdl class a driver has an average salary of $52,203, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a cdl class a driver include OTR, customer service and hazmat. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
| CDL Class A Driver | Van Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $52,203 | $36,254 |
| Hourly rate | $25.10 | $17.43 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 696,903 | 791,293 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A CDL Class A driver is a driver with a Class A commercial driver's license. A commercial driver's license is necessary to operate large, heavy, and placarded vehicles. There are several classifications of a commercial driver's license, and Class A is for a car towing a trailer with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds (5 t). Drivers with this type of license are entitled to operate a commercial motor vehicle such as passenger buses, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and dump trucks. They have the choice to add endorsements to their CDL, which allows them to operate particular types of commercial motor vehicles.
A van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
Cdl class a drivers and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| CDL Class A Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $52,203 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $75,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mid-South Management | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a cdl class a driver and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| CDL Class A Driver | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cdl class a drivers' and van drivers' demographics:
| CDL Class A Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |