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The differences between driver/owner operators and tank 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 tank driver. Additionally, a driver/owner operator has an average salary of $169,793, which is higher than the $51,471 average annual salary of a tank driver.
The top three skills for a driver/owner operator include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for a tank driver are CDL, hazmat, and post-trip inspections.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Tank Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $169,793 | $51,471 |
| Hourly rate | $81.63 | $24.75 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 170,784 | 783,401 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| 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.
The duties of a tank driver depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, they are responsible for transporting goods or hazardous materials, ensuring timeliness and accuracy. Their tasks often revolve around coordinating with managers or office staff, handling or organizing documentation, managing schedules, and liaising with clients. Furthermore, as a tank driver, it is crucial to abide by all the traffic laws and conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks to ensure everyone's safety.
Driver/owner operators and tank drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Tank Driver | |
| Average salary | $169,793 | $51,471 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $417,000 | Between $35,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Savannah, GA | Denver, CO |
| Highest paying state | Texas | Colorado |
| Best paying company | Clean Harbors | Kemira Chemicals |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a driver/owner operator and a tank driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Tank Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver/owner operators' and tank drivers' demographics:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Tank Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% |
| 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, 12.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |