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Dump truck driver vs professional truck driver

The differences between dump truck drivers and professional 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 dump truck driver and a professional truck driver. Additionally, a dump truck driver has an average salary of $55,857, which is higher than the $48,577 average annual salary of a professional truck driver.

The top three skills for a dump truck driver include CDL, asphalt and DOT. The most important skills for a professional truck driver are CDL, safety regulations, and on-time delivery.

Dump truck driver vs professional truck driver overview

Dump Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Yearly salary$55,857$48,577
Hourly rate$26.85$23.35
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs702,361739,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a dump truck driver do?

A dump truck driver is responsible for transporting construction materials, such as rocks, sands, woods, heavy equipment, garbage collection, and junk supplies from one place to the assigned destination. Dump truck drivers must have excellent mechanical skills to inspect the vehicle before and after operations to prevent delays and possible engine failures, especially on working during different weather conditions. They should also have clean driving records, following the road's safety regulations at all times, ensuring the efficiency of deliveries within the agreed time.

What does a professional truck driver do?

Professional truck drivers have skills in communication, organization, and navigation, as well as a motivated personality and a good sense of responsibility. Their services are absolutely essential, with the most basic task being driving commercial trucks for transportation of goods and materials to distribution centers. Truck drivers transport everything from automobiles to produce to machinery.

Dump truck driver vs professional truck driver salary

Dump truck drivers and professional truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dump Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Average salary$55,857$48,577
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $72,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityPonca City, OKBoston, MA
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companyNorth Central GroupWellpath
Best paying industryManufacturingTransportation

Differences between dump truck driver and professional truck driver education

There are a few differences between a dump truck driver and a professional truck driver in terms of educational background:

Dump Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dump truck driver vs professional truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between dump truck drivers' and professional truck drivers' demographics:

Dump Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 90.6% Female, 9.4%Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between dump truck driver and professional truck driver duties and responsibilities

Dump truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Mine train and certify by MSHA.
  • Operate solo and as OTR team driver.
  • Operate excavator and bobcat to dig trenches and load dump trucks
  • Load construction debris into trailer with bobcat and deliver to the dump
  • DOT inspection up to date and the truck is ready to work.
  • Adhere to all organizational guidelines and OSHA rules for securing a safe working atmosphere.
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Professional truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Maintain current commercial driver's license (CDL).
  • Perform equipment inspections, load and unload liquid HazMat.
  • Select as OTR driver certify in tanker, double and triple.
  • Diversify freight transportation OTR, as well as business and home delivery.
  • Train students and company employees in professional truck driving leading to student acquiring CDL.
  • Truck driving/safety checks on all equipment and cargo/The on time pickup and delivery of cargo
  • Show more

Dump truck driver vs professional truck driver skills

Common dump truck driver skills
  • CDL, 24%
  • Asphalt, 19%
  • DOT, 11%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 7%
  • Safety Regulations, 6%
  • Construction Sites, 3%
Common professional truck driver skills
  • CDL, 17%
  • Safety Regulations, 15%
  • On-Time Delivery, 10%
  • OTR, 7%
  • Vehicle Service, 6%
  • Semi, 5%

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