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Equipment operator-driver vs local driver

The differences between equipment operators-driver and local drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an equipment operator-driver, becoming a local driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a local driver has an average salary of $48,160, which is higher than the $36,429 average annual salary of an equipment operator-driver.

The top three skills for an equipment operator-driver include CDL, dump truck and loaders. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Equipment operator-driver vs local driver overview

Equipment Operator-DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$36,429$48,160
Hourly rate$17.51$23.15
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs607,301786,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4548
Years of experience42

Equipment operator-driver vs local driver salary

Equipment operators-driver and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Equipment Operator-DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$36,429$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $46,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Montana
Best paying company-Mid-South Management
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between equipment operator-driver and local driver education

There are a few differences between an equipment operator-driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:

Equipment Operator-DriverLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Equipment operator-driver vs local driver demographics

Here are the differences between equipment operators-driver' and local drivers' demographics:

Equipment Operator-DriverLocal Driver
Average age4548
Gender ratioMale, 96.2% Female, 3.8%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%4%

Differences between equipment operator-driver and local driver duties and responsibilities

Equipment operator-driver example responsibilities.

  • Deliver hazmat material to job site.
  • Operate airfield/street sweepers to remove debris from pavement surfaces.
  • Unload full pallets and double pallets of groceries and merchandise.
  • Landscape, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and bushes.
  • Arrive at and depart from pickup and discharge points as required.
  • Conduct pre and post trip inspections and regularly service the vehicles.
  • Show more

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Equipment operator-driver vs local driver skills

Common equipment operator-driver skills
  • CDL, 23%
  • Dump Truck, 10%
  • Loaders, 7%
  • Tractor Trailer, 5%
  • DOT, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 4%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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