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The differences between cdl 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 cdl driver and a contract driver. Additionally, a cdl driver has an average salary of $63,112, which is higher than the $34,999 average annual salary of a contract driver.
The top three skills for a cdl driver include DOT, CDL-A and customer service. The most important skills for a contract driver are DOT, CDL, and tractor trailer.
| CDL Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $63,112 | $34,999 |
| Hourly rate | $30.34 | $16.83 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 784,044 | 1,007,663 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| 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 contract driver mainly provides transport services on a contractual basis. Their duties typically depend on their contract or place of employment; they may deliver goods or provide private transport to clients. When it comes to delivering goods, a contract driver must adhere to schedules and guidelines, maintain documents, and coordinate with clients. Furthermore, a contract driver must perform regular maintenance checks on their vehicles and abide by the traffic laws and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Cdl drivers and contract drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| CDL Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Average salary | $63,112 | $34,999 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $96,000 | Between $23,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | - |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | - |
| Best paying company | GCP Applied Technologies | - |
| Best paying industry | Retail | - |
There are a few differences between a cdl driver and a contract driver in terms of educational background:
| CDL Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cdl drivers' and contract drivers' demographics:
| CDL Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |