Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between dispatchers 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 dispatcher and a truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $35,328 average annual salary of a dispatcher.
The top three skills for a dispatcher include customer service, data entry and computer aided dispatch. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Dispatcher | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $35,328 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $16.98 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 5,818 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.25 | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Dispatchers are generally responsible for coordinating with the customers regarding the delivery status of the products and providing precise logistics and the fastest transportation routes to the professional drivers to ensure smooth and timely deliveries. A dispatcher is required to monitor the driver's location, strictly track road situations at all times to provide real-time updates for the customers, and advise the driver for alternative routes. Dispatchers also need to address possible customer complaints and process scheduling accurately to avoid inconsistencies in the delivery time.
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.
Dispatchers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dispatcher | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $35,328 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Mt. San Antonio College | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Government | Retail |
There are a few differences between a dispatcher and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Dispatcher | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dispatchers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Dispatcher | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9% | 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% |