Post job

Diesel truck driver vs tow truck driver

The differences between diesel truck drivers and tow 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 diesel truck driver and a tow truck driver. Additionally, a diesel truck driver has an average salary of $43,702, which is higher than the $38,555 average annual salary of a tow truck driver.

The top three skills for a diesel truck driver include CDL, cranes and OTR. The most important skills for a tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.

Diesel truck driver vs tow truck driver overview

Diesel Truck DriverTow Truck Driver
Yearly salary$43,702$38,555
Hourly rate$21.01$18.54
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs684,748666,918
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Diesel truck driver vs tow truck driver salary

Diesel truck drivers and tow truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Diesel Truck DriverTow Truck Driver
Average salary$43,702$38,555
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $59,000Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-City of Detroit
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between diesel truck driver and tow truck driver education

There are a few differences between a diesel truck driver and a tow truck driver in terms of educational background:

Diesel Truck DriverTow Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Diesel truck driver vs tow truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between diesel truck drivers' and tow truck drivers' demographics:

Diesel Truck DriverTow Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 99.6% Female, 0.4%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 3.8% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between diesel truck driver and tow truck driver duties and responsibilities

Diesel truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Complete delivery and pickup paperwork promptly and accurately, returning say paperwork to the appropriate facility personnel.
  • Keep track of logs, miles, and bol's.

Tow truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Operate tow truck and equipment (dollies, go jacks).
  • Drive rollback tow truck, load and unload cars, secure cars on truck bed, operate hydraulic, maintain truck
  • Right eye injury and ineligibility for CDL )
  • Job require current CDL with clean driving record.
  • Maintain contracts with several companies as well as CHP work.
  • Show more

Diesel truck driver vs tow truck driver skills

Common diesel truck driver skills
  • CDL, 19%
  • Cranes, 15%
  • OTR, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • Hoists, 8%
  • DOT, 7%
Common tow truck driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 22%
  • CDL, 17%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Loaders, 10%
  • AAA, 8%
  • Fuel Delivery, 5%

Browse transportation jobs