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The differences between driver/owner operators and 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 truck driver. Additionally, a driver/owner operator has an average salary of $169,793, which is higher than the $60,326 average annual salary of a truck driver.
The top three skills for a driver/owner operator include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $169,793 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $81.63 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 170,784 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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 truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Driver/owner operators and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $169,793 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $417,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Texas | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Clean Harbors | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Retail |
There are a few differences between a driver/owner operator and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver/owner operators' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |