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The differences between cdl drivers and local 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 local driver. Additionally, a cdl driver has an average salary of $63,112, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.
The top three skills for a cdl driver include DOT, CDL-A and customer service. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.
| CDL Driver | Local Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $63,112 | $48,160 |
| Hourly rate | $30.34 | $23.15 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 784,044 | 786,531 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| 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 local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.
Cdl drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| CDL Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average salary | $63,112 | $48,160 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $96,000 | Between $33,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Montana |
| Best paying company | GCP Applied Technologies | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a cdl driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:
| CDL Driver | Local Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cdl drivers' and local drivers' demographics:
| CDL Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% |
| 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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |