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The differences between flatbed drivers and 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 flatbed driver and a truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $57,099 average annual salary of a flatbed driver.
The top three skills for a flatbed driver include CDL, OTR and customer service. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Flatbed Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $57,099 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $27.45 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 781,449 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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 truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Flatbed drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flatbed Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $57,099 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $83,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Hub Group | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Retail |
There are a few differences between a flatbed driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Flatbed Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between flatbed drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Flatbed Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |