Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between driver trainers and commercial 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 trainer and a commercial truck driver. Additionally, a commercial truck driver has an average salary of $64,512, 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 commercial truck driver are CDL, good time management, and safety issues.
| Driver Trainer | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $46,074 | $64,512 |
| Hourly rate | $22.15 | $31.02 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 844,436 | 719,069 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| 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 commercial truck driver is primarily in charge of transporting and delivering cargo, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities include driving for long durations, coordinating with logistics staff, handling documentation, and maintaining the safety of cargo. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients, unload and load cargo, and keep records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a commercial truck driver, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks on vehicles and adhere to the traffic laws and regulations for a safe and productive work environment.
Driver trainers and commercial truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver Trainer | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $46,074 | $64,512 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $70,000 | Between $41,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, OR | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New York |
| Best paying company | J. J. Keller & Associates | Tyson Foods |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a driver trainer and a commercial truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver Trainer | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver trainers' and commercial truck drivers' demographics:
| Driver Trainer | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3% | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% |
| 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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |