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The differences between driver/owner operators and operators and truck driver 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 an operator and truck driver. Additionally, an operator and truck driver has an average salary of $250,847, which is higher than the $169,793 average annual salary of a driver/owner operator.
The top three skills for a driver/owner operator include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for an operator and truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $169,793 | $250,847 |
| Hourly rate | $81.63 | $120.60 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 170,784 | 483,014 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| 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.
An operator and truck driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transport of goods and services within a particular area. One must have the skills and credentials, such as a license for driving large vehicles, and stamina for the long drives. Aside from this, they must also abide by the traffic rules and regulations at all times, even conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure that the vehicle is in good condition. Furthermore, an operator and truck driver must coordinate with clients and other workers to ensure that all deliveries are accurate and timely.
Driver/owner operators and operators and truck driver have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $169,793 | $250,847 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $417,000 | Between $126,000 And $497,000 |
| Highest paying City | Savannah, GA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Texas | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Clean Harbors | York |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a driver/owner operator and an operator and truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver/owner operators' and operators and truck driver' demographics:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |