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The differences between driver/owner operators and driver supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a driver/owner operator, becoming a driver supervisor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a driver/owner operator has an average salary of $169,793, which is higher than the $38,495 average annual salary of a driver supervisor.
The top three skills for a driver/owner operator include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for a driver supervisor are customer service, DOT, and CDL.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Driver Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $169,793 | $38,495 |
| Hourly rate | $81.63 | $18.51 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 170,784 | 214,993 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Driver/owner-operators are self-employed commercial truck drivers who operate trucks to transport goods for their customers. Most of these operators started working as drivers for trucking companies to gain experience and decide if it's the right career path for them. They are allowed to haul freelance or agree to a lease agreement dedicating their equipment to one product or customer. To become an owner-operator, one should consider many things, including business set-up, vehicle type, and licenses.
Driver supervisors are professionals who are responsible for supervising all activities that are related to the operation of motor vehicles that transport materials for logistics companies. These supervisors are required to select and orient drivers about their roles and ensure that they are following the guidelines provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT). They must regularly audit delivery routes with their drivers so that they can achieve safe and efficient deliveries. Driver supervisors must also conduct investigations for those drivers involved in vehicular accidents.
Driver/owner operators and driver supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Driver Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $169,793 | $38,495 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $417,000 | Between $30,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Savannah, GA | Everett, WA |
| Highest paying state | Texas | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Clean Harbors | American Refining Group |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a driver/owner operator and a driver supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Driver Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver/owner operators' and driver supervisors' demographics:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Driver Supervisor | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 3.8% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |