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Driver manager vs dispatcher

The differences between driver managers and dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a driver manager, becoming a dispatcher takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a driver manager has an average salary of $45,922, which is higher than the $35,328 average annual salary of a dispatcher.

The top three skills for a driver manager include DOT, good communication and on-time delivery. The most important skills for a dispatcher are customer service, data entry, and computer aided dispatch.

Driver manager vs dispatcher overview

Driver ManagerDispatcher
Yearly salary$45,922$35,328
Hourly rate$22.08$16.98
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs3,1415,818
Job satisfaction-4.25
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age4443
Years of experience42

What does a driver manager do?

The job of driver managers involves the recruitment, training, and assessment of drivers and their qualifications pursuant to driving laws. Driver managers manage vehicles confirming their safety and working order. They monitor the fleet to make sure that the deliveries are done as scheduled. It is part of their responsibilities to serve as mentors for drivers. They address drivers' communications and offer the necessary data to drivers. Also, they set periodical inspections of the vehicles in operation.

What does a dispatcher do?

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.

Driver manager vs dispatcher salary

Driver managers and dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Driver ManagerDispatcher
Average salary$45,922$35,328
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $70,000Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyNVIDIAMt. San Antonio College
Best paying industryEnergyGovernment

Differences between driver manager and dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a driver manager and a dispatcher in terms of educational background:

Driver ManagerDispatcher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Driver manager vs dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between driver managers' and dispatchers' demographics:

Driver ManagerDispatcher
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 75.1% Female, 24.9%Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.8% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between driver manager and dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Driver manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop and implement KPI metrics to effectively manage customer satisfaction
  • Certify and experience in HAZMAT shipments.
  • Head up vehicle maintenance scheduling along with tracking trucks via GPS and monitoring driver hours.
  • Help establish policies and procedures for management of all Dallas drivers' GPS systems and data.
  • Organize and create an OTR fleet, taking it to one of the top fleets in Denver.
  • Obtain necessary documents for the drivers to ensure safe transportation of HAZMAT freight, including overweight permits.
  • Show more

Dispatcher example responsibilities.

  • Manage accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R) using QuickBooks.
  • Manage dot hrs for drivers as far as what tasks can be done in a certain amount of time.
  • Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
  • Dispatch police fire and ems.
  • Dispatch district security patrol officers to assist district employees, students and residents with emergency situations.
  • Earn CDL with passenger endorsement.
  • Show more

Driver manager vs dispatcher skills

Common driver manager skills
  • DOT, 42%
  • Good Communication, 31%
  • On-Time Delivery, 10%
  • Customer Service, 3%
  • OTR, 2%
  • Driver Retention, 2%
Common dispatcher skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Computer Aided Dispatch, 4%
  • Non-Emergency Calls, 4%
  • Emergency Situations, 3%
  • EMS, 3%

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