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The differences between commercial drivers and tank 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 commercial driver and a tank driver. Additionally, a tank driver has an average salary of $51,471, which is higher than the $46,852 average annual salary of a commercial driver.
The top three skills for a commercial driver include customer service, CDL and ladders. The most important skills for a tank driver are CDL, hazmat, and post-trip inspections.
| Commercial Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $46,852 | $51,471 |
| Hourly rate | $22.52 | $24.75 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 1,016,123 | 783,401 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A commercial driver is responsible for transporting people, goods, and services from one place to various destinations as required. Commercial drivers must have a clean driving record to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and the merchandise's quality while on the road. They should also know how to operate a vehicle's engine, inspect system defects, and repair system malfunctions to prevent any delays in transportation and deliveries. A commercial driver must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry and report any problems to management.
The duties of a tank driver depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, they are responsible for transporting goods or hazardous materials, ensuring timeliness and accuracy. Their tasks often revolve around coordinating with managers or office staff, handling or organizing documentation, managing schedules, and liaising with clients. Furthermore, as a tank driver, it is crucial to abide by all the traffic laws and conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks to ensure everyone's safety.
Commercial drivers and tank drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commercial Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Average salary | $46,852 | $51,471 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $62,000 | Between $35,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Auburn, WA | Denver, CO |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Colorado |
| Best paying company | Laramie County Community College | Kemira Chemicals |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a commercial driver and a tank driver in terms of educational background:
| Commercial Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between commercial drivers' and tank drivers' demographics:
| Commercial Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2% | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |