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The differences between driver trainers and lead 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 lead driver. Additionally, a driver trainer has an average salary of $46,074, which is higher than the $43,769 average annual salary of a lead driver.
The top three skills for a driver trainer include CDL, dexterity and training programs. The most important skills for a lead driver are DOT, work ethic, and CDL.
| Driver Trainer | Lead Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $46,074 | $43,769 |
| Hourly rate | $22.15 | $21.04 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 844,436 | 821,463 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| 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.
Lead drivers are professionals who are responsible for supervising the staff drivers of either a logistics or trucking company. These lead drivers must manage the communication between drivers and personnel while generating dispatch reports base on their drivers' tracking logs. They must ensure that vehicles are fit for use according to the standards of the Department of Transportation (DOT) by checking engines and maintaining sufficient fluid levels of all vehicles. Lead drivers must also train and supervise new drivers about the company's policy and safety regulations.
Driver trainers and lead drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driver Trainer | Lead Driver | |
| Average salary | $46,074 | $43,769 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $70,000 | Between $27,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, OR | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | J. J. Keller & Associates | Univar |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Technology |
There are a few differences between a driver trainer and a lead driver in terms of educational background:
| Driver Trainer | Lead Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between driver trainers' and lead drivers' demographics:
| Driver Trainer | Lead Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3% | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% |
| 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, 12.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |