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The differences between flatbed drivers and van 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 van driver. Additionally, a flatbed driver has an average salary of $57,099, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a flatbed driver include CDL, OTR and customer service. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
| Flatbed Driver | Van Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $57,099 | $36,254 |
| Hourly rate | $27.45 | $17.43 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 781,449 | 791,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| 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.
A van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
Flatbed drivers and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flatbed Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $57,099 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $83,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Hub Group | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a flatbed driver and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| Flatbed Driver | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between flatbed drivers' and van drivers' demographics:
| Flatbed Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |