Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between cdl drivers and class b 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 driver and a class b driver. Additionally, a cdl driver has an average salary of $63,112, which is higher than the $44,233 average annual salary of a class b driver.
The top three skills for a cdl driver include DOT, CDL-A and customer service. The most important skills for a class b driver are CDL, DOT, and customer service.
| CDL Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $63,112 | $44,233 |
| Hourly rate | $30.34 | $21.27 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 784,044 | 703,020 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A CDL driver is responsible for the transportation of goods from the manufacturing warehouse to specific store locations. CDL drivers' duties include inspecting the items before and after the delivery to ensure that the orders are correct with the right quantity, providing proof of delivery from the receiving customers, following the delivery schedule and report any delays immediately, monitoring the vehicle's engine for efficiency, and escalating concerns of incorrect deliveries and defective items. A CDL driver must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills, following safety procedures and road rules at all times.
A Class B driver is responsible for operating vehicles with weight requirements, usually used for commercial and industrial purposes. Class B drivers are typically employed as a school bus driver, delivery truck driver, public transit driver, ensuring that they meet a clean driving record. They should also have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on inspecting the vehicle's engine condition and set maintenance repairs as necessary. A Class B driver must adhere to the safe road regulations at all times to prevent accidents and avoid delays in operation.
Cdl drivers and class b drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| CDL Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Average salary | $63,112 | $44,233 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $96,000 | Between $35,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Kent, WA |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Washington |
| Best paying company | GCP Applied Technologies | Ilitch Holdings |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Construction |
There are a few differences between a cdl driver and a class b driver in terms of educational background:
| CDL Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cdl drivers' and class b drivers' demographics:
| CDL Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% | Male, 90.1% Female, 9.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |