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Driver assistant vs local driver

The differences between driver assistants and local drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a local driver has an average salary of $48,160, which is higher than the $37,795 average annual salary of a driver assistant.

The top three skills for a driver assistant include delivery truck, customer service and safety procedures. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Driver assistant vs local driver overview

Driver AssistantLocal Driver
Yearly salary$37,795$48,160
Hourly rate$18.17$23.15
Growth rate11%4%
Number of jobs387,080786,531
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 41%
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 local driver do?

A local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.

Driver assistant vs local driver salary

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

Driver AssistantLocal Driver
Average salary$37,795$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $66,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityPalo Alto, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMontana
Best paying companyGeneral MotorsMid-South Management
Best paying industryAutomotiveTransportation

Differences between driver assistant and local driver education

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

Driver AssistantLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Driver assistant vs local driver demographics

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

Driver AssistantLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 84.3% Female, 15.7%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between driver assistant and local 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.

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Driver assistant vs local driver skills

Common driver assistant skills
  • Delivery Truck, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Safety Procedures, 12%
  • CDL, 9%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Package Delivery, 6%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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