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The differences between cdl 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 driver and a van driver. Additionally, a cdl driver has an average salary of $63,112, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a cdl driver include DOT, CDL-A and customer service. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
| CDL Driver | Van Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $63,112 | $36,254 |
| Hourly rate | $30.34 | $17.43 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 784,044 | 791,293 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| 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 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 drivers and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| CDL Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $63,112 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $96,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Alaska |
| Best paying company | GCP Applied Technologies | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a cdl driver and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| CDL Driver | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cdl drivers' and van drivers' demographics:
| CDL Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| 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, 12.2% 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% |