Post job

Driver assistant vs contract driver

The differences between driver assistants and contract drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a driver assistant has an average salary of $37,795, which is higher than the $34,999 average annual salary of a contract driver.

The top three skills for a driver assistant include delivery truck, customer service and safety procedures. The most important skills for a contract driver are DOT, CDL, and tractor trailer.

Driver assistant vs contract driver overview

Driver AssistantContract Driver
Yearly salary$37,795$34,999
Hourly rate$18.17$16.83
Growth rate11%4%
Number of jobs387,0801,007,663
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4848
Years of experience-2

What does a driver assistant do?

A driver assistant is responsible for helping the lead driver transport people, goods, and services from one place to various destinations as required with utmost safety and security. Driver assistants respond to the customers' delivery inquiries and concerns, update delivery receipts, inspect the quality of the merchandise before loading and unloading, report replacements to the distribution centers, and assist with the road navigation to prevent delivery delays. A driver assistant must have excellent organizational and time-management skills, ensuring smooth delivery operations professionally and efficiently.

What does a contract driver do?

A contract driver mainly provides transport services on a contractual basis. Their duties typically depend on their contract or place of employment; they may deliver goods or provide private transport to clients. When it comes to delivering goods, a contract driver must adhere to schedules and guidelines, maintain documents, and coordinate with clients. Furthermore, a contract driver must perform regular maintenance checks on their vehicles and abide by the traffic laws and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.

Driver assistant vs contract driver salary

Driver assistants and contract drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Driver AssistantContract Driver
Average salary$37,795$34,999
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $66,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityPalo Alto, CA-
Highest paying stateMassachusetts-
Best paying companyGeneral Motors-
Best paying industryAutomotive-

Differences between driver assistant and contract driver education

There are a few differences between a driver assistant and a contract driver in terms of educational background:

Driver AssistantContract Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Driver assistant vs contract driver demographics

Here are the differences between driver assistants' and contract drivers' demographics:

Driver AssistantContract Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 84.3% Female, 15.7%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 3.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between driver assistant and contract driver duties and responsibilities

Driver assistant example responsibilities.

  • Load truck with appropriate product and deliver accordingly, return to warehouse for receiving and other warehouse duties including monthly inventory.
  • Memorize menu, delivered/prepare sandwiches, maintain inventory, take customer/catering orders in-store/over-the-phone, utilize POS computer system.

Contract driver example responsibilities.

  • Transport customers of the UBER App.
  • Train new employees on CSA regulations.
  • Contract cdl driver to fill need manpower.
  • Teach drivers complete paperwork and train on CSA.
  • DOT, local, state (provincial) and federal requirements
  • Assist with marekting and creation of LYFT brand in area.
  • Show more

Driver assistant vs contract driver skills

Common driver assistant skills
  • Delivery Truck, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Safety Procedures, 12%
  • CDL, 9%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Package Delivery, 6%
Common contract driver skills
  • DOT, 25%
  • CDL, 19%
  • Tractor Trailer, 16%
  • Safety Regulations, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • On-Time Deliveries, 6%

Browse transportation jobs