Dispatch technician vs truck driver

The differences between dispatch technicians 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 dispatch technician and a truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $34,469 average annual salary of a dispatch technician.

The top three skills for a dispatch technician include customer service, emergency calls and POS. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.

Dispatch technician vs truck driver overview

	Dispatch Technician	Truck Driver
Yearly salary	$34,469	$60,326
Hourly rate	$16.57	$29.00
Growth rate	-4%	4%
Number of jobs	30,551	827,858
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	43	48
Years of experience	2	2

What does a dispatch technician do?

A dispatch technician specializes in providing technical support to clients, particularly when it comes to network services. They primarily gather client information, identify their needs, sort out emergency and non-emergency calls, help clients troubleshoot issues, process requests, coordinating field technician services when necessary, and provide step-by-step instructions to solve problems. They may also call clients to follow-up on their requests and offer additional support, aiming for client satisfaction. Moreover, as a dispatch technician, it is essential to maintain records of all calls and transactions while adhering to guidelines and regulations.

What does a truck driver do?

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.

Dispatch technician vs truck driver salary

Dispatch technicians and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dispatch Technician	Truck Driver
Average salary	$34,469	$60,326
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $40,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	-	Wilmington, DE
Highest paying state	-	Delaware
Best paying company	-	W. R. Grace & Co
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between dispatch technician and truck driver education

There are a few differences between a dispatch technician and a truck driver in terms of educational background:

	Dispatch Technician	Truck Driver
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Dispatch technician vs truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between dispatch technicians' and truck drivers' demographics:

	Dispatch Technician	Truck Driver
Average age	43	48
Gender ratio	Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6%	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.8% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	7%	4%

Differences between dispatch technician and truck driver duties and responsibilities

Dispatch technician example responsibilities.

Manage the customer relationship and expectations, communicate effectively, and troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
Work in service industry with plumbing, drain and HVAC techs.
Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer's key personnel involve in or directly relevant to a logistics activity.
Used AS400 to track and identify work relate assets.
Create interactive PowerPoint structures for artists to continue in development.

Truck driver example responsibilities.

Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
Flatb loads including steel and specialty metals, pipe, refractory brick, commercial building materials, lumber and equipment.
Follow all HAZMAT regulations while transporting hazardous materials.
Utilize appropriate PPE at all times.
Dedicate run from Tennessee to California with LTL.
Used proper PPE and safety equipment when need.

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Dispatch technician vs truck driver skills

Common dispatch technician skills

Customer Service, 15%
Emergency Calls, 8%
POS, 6%
Inbound Calls, 5%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Service Calls, 5%

Common truck driver skills

CDL, 47%
OTR, 12%
DOT, 10%
PET, 6%
Hazmat, 4%
Customer Service, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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