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The differences between driver/owner operators and dump truck drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a driver/owner operator and a dump truck driver. Additionally, a driver/owner operator has an average salary of $169,793, which is higher than the $55,857 average annual salary of a dump truck driver.
The top three skills for a driver/owner operator include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for a dump truck driver are CDL, asphalt, and DOT.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $169,793 | $55,857 |
| Hourly rate | $81.63 | $26.85 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 170,784 | 702,361 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A dump truck driver is responsible for transporting construction materials, such as rocks, sands, woods, heavy equipment, garbage collection, and junk supplies from one place to the assigned destination. Dump truck drivers must have excellent mechanical skills to inspect the vehicle before and after operations to prevent delays and possible engine failures, especially on working during different weather conditions. They should also have clean driving records, following the road's safety regulations at all times, ensuring the efficiency of deliveries within the agreed time.
Driver/owner operators and dump truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $169,793 | $55,857 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $417,000 | Between $43,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Savannah, GA | Ponca City, OK |
| Highest paying state | Texas | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Clean Harbors | North Central Group |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a driver/owner operator and a dump truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver/owner operators' and dump truck drivers' demographics:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |