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The differences between flatbed truck 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 truck driver and a truck driver. Additionally, a flatbed truck driver has an average salary of $61,065, which is higher than the $60,326 average annual salary of a truck driver.
The top three skills for a flatbed truck driver include CDL, flatbed and OTR. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
A flatbed truck driver is primarily responsible for the transport and delivery of goods, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their duties mainly revolve around coordinating with logistics staff, planning deliveries, managing paperwork, responding to calls and inquiries from clients, and maintaining their vehicles in good condition by regularly conducting maintenance checks. There are are also instances when a driver must collect and process payments, making sure to keep records of all transactions. Furthermore, it is essential to load and unload goods to the location of deliveries and abide by all the traffic laws and regulations.
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 truck drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flatbed Truck Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $61,065 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $91,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Dover, NH | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Montana | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Jordan Company | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Retail |
There are a few differences between a flatbed truck driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Flatbed Truck Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between flatbed truck drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Flatbed Truck Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.2% 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% |