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Dock supervisor vs route supervisor

The differences between dock supervisors and route supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a dock supervisor and a route supervisor. Additionally, a route supervisor has an average salary of $46,770, which is higher than the $36,007 average annual salary of a dock supervisor.

The top three skills for a dock supervisor include work ethic, safety rules and government regulations. The most important skills for a route supervisor are DOT, CDL, and OSHA.

Dock supervisor vs route supervisor overview

Dock SupervisorRoute Supervisor
Yearly salary$36,007$46,770
Hourly rate$17.31$22.49
Growth rate6%11%
Number of jobs10,67513,438
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a dock supervisor do?

Dock supervisors are responsible for ensuring safety while managing dockworkers in the loading and unloading of materials from vessels on the water. They supervise and coordinate with the dockworkers and analyze the vessel's specifications and blueprints to identify the required size, shape, and number of bilge blocks and keel to support the vessel. Other tasks include supervising the dockworkers' tasks such as painting, cleaning, drydocking, and repairing vessels and overseeing flooding operations, and pulling out of vessels from drydock.

What does a route supervisor do?

A route supervisor works with the delivery and logistics department of the company. The route supervisor oversees the dispatching of vehicles and drivers to take specified routes determined by the company. A company needs to ensure on-time and consistent deliveries. The route supervisor also checks each predetermined route if it is free from heavy traffic and congestion. Alternate routes must be immediately provided for deliveries to take during emergencies and delays. Customer satisfaction is of utmost concern, and it is achieved only by safe and speedy deliveries.

Dock supervisor vs route supervisor salary

Dock supervisors and route supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dock SupervisorRoute Supervisor
Average salary$36,007$46,770
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $41,000Between $35,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-Richmond, CA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-US Foods
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between dock supervisor and route supervisor education

There are a few differences between a dock supervisor and a route supervisor in terms of educational background:

Dock SupervisorRoute Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dock supervisor vs route supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between dock supervisors' and route supervisors' demographics:

Dock SupervisorRoute Supervisor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 91.2% Female, 8.8%Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.2% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.8% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between dock supervisor and route supervisor duties and responsibilities

Dock supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage large team of outbound shipping loaders ensuring timely and proper loading of trailers.
  • Manage cleanliness and organization throughout the facility.
  • Manage logistics personnel and logistics systems and direct daily operations.
  • Train staff on company policies, safety procedures, and OSHA compliance.
  • Perform accurate and timely entries of all dock and line haul movement on the AS400 computer system.
  • Upload daily productivity and Kronos time.
  • Show more

Route supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and audit team member's timekeeping.
  • Provide proper training to delivery driver to obtain CDL license when need.
  • Direct a team of 3 people and drive a truck with CDL permit.
  • Translate business needs and priorities into actionable logistics strategies.
  • Deliver packages to customers in a friendly, professional manner while using FedEx scanning device.
  • Serve as liaison between employees, owners, and FedEx corporate to maintain exemplary working relationship.
  • Show more

Dock supervisor vs route supervisor skills

Common dock supervisor skills
  • Work Ethic, 15%
  • Safety Rules, 13%
  • Government Regulations, 13%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Necessary Paperwork, 6%
  • LTL, 5%
Common route supervisor skills
  • DOT, 31%
  • CDL, 11%
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Route Delivery, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Relief, 3%

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