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The differences between cdl drivers and line haul 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 line haul driver. Additionally, a cdl driver has an average salary of $63,112, which is higher than the $53,992 average annual salary of a line haul driver.
The top three skills for a cdl driver include DOT, CDL-A and customer service. The most important skills for a line haul driver are CDL, hazmat, and safety regulations.
| CDL Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $63,112 | $53,992 |
| Hourly rate | $30.34 | $25.96 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 784,044 | 871,646 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| 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 line haul truck driver is in charge of transporting heavy materials using large vehicles such as tractor-trailers, ensuring timeliness and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around securing documents or invoices, adhering to specific routes, driving for long durations, liaising and building positive relationships with companies, and ensuring the safety and quality of all cargo. Furthermore, as a line haul truck driver, it is essential to abide by all the traffic laws and perform regular vehicle maintenance checks to ensure a safe and productive work environment.
Cdl drivers and line haul drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| CDL Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Average salary | $63,112 | $53,992 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $96,000 | Between $37,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Fargo, ND |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | GCP Applied Technologies | Tyson Foods |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a cdl driver and a line haul driver in terms of educational background:
| CDL Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cdl drivers' and line haul drivers' demographics:
| CDL Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| 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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |