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The differences between class a drivers and truck 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 class a driver and a truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $56,620 average annual salary of a class a driver.
The top three skills for a class a driver include CDL, customer service and OTR. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Class A Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $56,620 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $27.22 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 706,950 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Class A driver is an individual driver who has acquired a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate trucks or commercial vehicles to transport materials and heavy equipment. Class A drivers are required to plan over-the-road (OTR) travel by using GPS and ensure that they follow bulk cargo transportation laws, regulations, and guidelines. They must conduct proper maintenance of the company vehicles and provide accurate daily logs to stay in compliance with the company's regulations. Class A drivers should also know how to operate equipment such as citizen band (CB) radios and telephones.
The truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Class a drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Class A Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $56,620 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $80,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Mid-South Management | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Retail |
There are a few differences between a class a driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Class A Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between class a drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Class A Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 3.7% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |