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The differences between flatbed drivers and tank 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 flatbed driver and a tank driver. Additionally, a flatbed driver has an average salary of $57,099, which is higher than the $51,471 average annual salary of a tank driver.
The top three skills for a flatbed driver include CDL, OTR and customer service. The most important skills for a tank driver are CDL, hazmat, and post-trip inspections.
| Flatbed Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $57,099 | $51,471 |
| Hourly rate | $27.45 | $24.75 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 781,449 | 783,401 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A flatbed driver is responsible for operating flatbed trucks to manage distribution and deliveries of goods and services from the warehouse to various assigned designations. Flatbed drivers assist in loading and unloading items, maintain a copy of receipt orders, process payments, and respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns. They also inspect the stability and performance of the truck's engine before and after operations and perform necessary repairs to prevent delivery delays and avoid potential road hazards.
The duties of a tank driver depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, they are responsible for transporting goods or hazardous materials, ensuring timeliness and accuracy. Their tasks often revolve around coordinating with managers or office staff, handling or organizing documentation, managing schedules, and liaising with clients. Furthermore, as a tank driver, it is crucial to abide by all the traffic laws and conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks to ensure everyone's safety.
Flatbed drivers and tank drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flatbed Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Average salary | $57,099 | $51,471 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $83,000 | Between $35,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Colorado |
| Best paying company | Hub Group | Kemira Chemicals |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a flatbed driver and a tank driver in terms of educational background:
| Flatbed Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between flatbed drivers' and tank drivers' demographics:
| Flatbed Driver | Tank Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |