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Driver assistant vs transportation driver

The differences between driver assistants and transportation drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a transportation driver has an average salary of $43,236, 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 transportation driver are CDL, DOT, and tractor trailer.

Driver assistant vs transportation driver overview

Driver AssistantTransportation Driver
Yearly salary$37,795$43,236
Hourly rate$18.17$20.79
Growth rate11%4%
Number of jobs387,0801,006,562
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 38%
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 transportation driver do?

A transportation driver is responsible for transporting people and goods from one place to another. A transportation driver must have a clean driving record to operate vehicles carefully and efficiently. Transportation drivers must ensure that the passengers are safe and comfortable during the trip and that goods are in proper condition to avoid damage and defects. They should strictly adhere to the transport schedules and assigned routes to avoid delays of operations. A transportation driver should also understand maintenance basics of vehicles to perform repair and reconditioning of any engine malfunction.

Driver assistant vs transportation driver salary

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

Driver AssistantTransportation Driver
Average salary$37,795$43,236
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $66,000Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityPalo Alto, CACheyenne, WY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWyoming
Best paying companyGeneral MotorsWest Tennessee Healthcare
Best paying industryAutomotive-

Differences between driver assistant and transportation driver education

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

Driver AssistantTransportation Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Driver assistant vs transportation driver demographics

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

Driver AssistantTransportation Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 84.3% Female, 15.7%Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%
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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between driver assistant and transportation 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.

Transportation driver example responsibilities.

  • Utilize CDL to transport elderly patients to doctor appointments, dining and recreation activities.
  • Maintain safe CDL driving record.
  • Haul chemicals OTR to customers assist in load and unload as needed
  • Certify in CPR, chauffeur license, perform administrative support functions.
  • Transport clients in a safe and professional manner; ability to understand maps and GPS
  • Assist in loading and unloading of van for patients with slight disabilities such as walkers, wheelchairs.
  • Show more

Driver assistant vs transportation driver skills

Common driver assistant skills
  • Delivery Truck, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Safety Procedures, 12%
  • CDL, 9%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Package Delivery, 6%
Common transportation driver skills
  • CDL, 21%
  • DOT, 15%
  • Tractor Trailer, 10%
  • Hazmat, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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