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Company driver vs local driver

The differences between company 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 company driver and a local driver. Additionally, a company driver has an average salary of $65,430, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.

The top three skills for a company driver include CDL, OTR and PET. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Company driver vs local driver overview

Company DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$65,430$48,160
Hourly rate$31.46$23.15
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs708,157786,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a company driver do?

A company driver helps an organization with all transport-related duties and ensures that these are carried out on time. Company drivers transport and deliver goods, equipment, products, and staff members to locations required by the organization. They maintain the cleanliness of their vehicles and are responsible for informing the organization about repairs and maintenance. Company drivers must also obtain the appropriate licenses and should have clean driving records with no accidents and traffic violations.

What does a local driver do?

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.

Company driver vs local driver salary

Company drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Company DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$65,430$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $93,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaMontana
Best paying companyAir ProductsMid-South Management
Best paying industryManufacturingTransportation

Differences between company driver and local driver education

There are a few differences between a company driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:

Company DriverLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Company driver vs local driver demographics

Here are the differences between company drivers' and local drivers' demographics:

Company DriverLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 90.5% Female, 9.5%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 59.0% 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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between company driver and local driver duties and responsibilities

Company driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Ensure the safe transportation of HAZMAT shipments.
  • Load and unload trailers with propane fork lift.
  • Move, position, connect and disconnect converter dollies.
  • Work as a certify CDL instructor and trainer for new drivers.
  • Team driver on a dedicate LTL account hauling double trailer configurations.
  • Show more

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Company driver vs local driver skills

Common company driver skills
  • CDL, 51%
  • OTR, 26%
  • PET, 8%
  • Hazmat, 4%
  • Customer Locations, 3%
  • Customer Service, 2%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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