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The differences between flatbed truck 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 truck driver and a van driver. Additionally, a flatbed truck driver has an average salary of $61,065, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a flatbed truck driver include CDL, flatbed and OTR. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
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.
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 truck drivers and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flatbed Truck Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $61,065 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $91,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Dover, NH | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Montana | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Jordan Company | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a flatbed truck driver and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| Flatbed Truck Driver | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between flatbed truck drivers' and van drivers' demographics:
| Flatbed Truck Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| 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, 12.2% 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% |