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The differences between driver trainers and cdl 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 trainer and a cdl driver. Additionally, a cdl driver has an average salary of $63,112, which is higher than the $46,074 average annual salary of a driver trainer.
The top three skills for a driver trainer include CDL, dexterity and training programs. The most important skills for a cdl driver are DOT, CDL-A, and customer service.
| Driver Trainer | CDL Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $46,074 | $63,112 |
| Hourly rate | $22.15 | $30.34 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 844,436 | 784,044 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Driver trainers are instructors who teach their clients how to drive. They are often considered experts in driving, and they are credible enough to impart their driving knowledge to clients. They teach their clients the basics of handling a car, the different actions one takes while driving, and the meaning of different street signs. They guide their clients during driving lessons and provide feedback so that their clients can improve. At times, driver trainers also handle driving tests and would rate the clients on their driving skills.
A CDL driver is responsible for the transportation of goods from the manufacturing warehouse to specific store locations. CDL drivers' duties include inspecting the items before and after the delivery to ensure that the orders are correct with the right quantity, providing proof of delivery from the receiving customers, following the delivery schedule and report any delays immediately, monitoring the vehicle's engine for efficiency, and escalating concerns of incorrect deliveries and defective items. A CDL driver must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills, following safety procedures and road rules at all times.
Driver trainers and cdl drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver Trainer | CDL Driver | |
| Average salary | $46,074 | $63,112 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $70,000 | Between $41,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, OR | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | J. J. Keller & Associates | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Retail |
There are a few differences between a driver trainer and a cdl driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver Trainer | CDL Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver trainers' and cdl drivers' demographics:
| Driver Trainer | CDL Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3% | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |