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The differences between driver/owner operators and van 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 van driver. Additionally, a driver/owner operator has an average salary of $169,793, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a driver/owner operator include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Van Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $169,793 | $36,254 |
| Hourly rate | $81.63 | $17.43 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 170,784 | 791,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| 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 van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
Driver/owner operators and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver/Owner Operator | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $169,793 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $417,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Savannah, GA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Texas | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Clean Harbors | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a driver/owner operator and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver/owner operators' and van drivers' demographics:
| Driver/Owner Operator | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |