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Feeder driver vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between feeder drivers and tractor-trailer 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 feeder driver and a tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $49,183 average annual salary of a feeder driver.

The top three skills for a feeder driver include CDL, DOT and tractor-trailer combination. The most important skills for a tractor-trailer driver are DOT, CDL, and OTR.

Feeder driver vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Feeder DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$49,183$58,498
Hourly rate$23.65$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs791,253690,787
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Feeder driver vs tractor-trailer driver salary

Feeder drivers and tractor-trailer drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Feeder DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$49,183$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $71,000Between $40,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Atlanta, GA
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Exel Inc.
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between feeder driver and tractor-trailer driver education

There are a few differences between a feeder driver and a tractor-trailer driver in terms of educational background:

Feeder DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Feeder driver vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

Here are the differences between feeder drivers' and tractor-trailer drivers' demographics:

Feeder DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 89.9% Female, 10.1%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between feeder driver and tractor-trailer driver duties and responsibilities

Feeder driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Earn CDL license with Doubles/Triples endorsements.
  • Perform exhaustive pre and post trip inspections.
  • Operate tractor- trailer combinations, including doubles and triples.
  • Maintain trip logs, preform pre and post trip inspections.
  • Hooked/Unhook trailers and converter dollies to/from a tractor and/or trailer.
  • Show more

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Feeder driver vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common feeder driver skills
  • CDL, 51%
  • DOT, 29%
  • Tractor-Trailer Combination, 3%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 2%
  • Safety Committee, 2%
  • GPS, 2%
Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

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