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Garbage collector driver vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between garbage collector drivers and tractor-trailer 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 garbage collector driver and a tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $35,658 average annual salary of a garbage collector driver.

The top three skills for a garbage collector driver include hoisting, drive trucks and maintenance checks. The most important skills for a tractor-trailer driver are DOT, CDL, and OTR.

Garbage collector driver vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Garbage Collector DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$35,658$58,498
Hourly rate$17.14$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs625,137690,787
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Garbage collector driver vs tractor-trailer driver salary

Garbage collector drivers and tractor-trailer drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Garbage Collector DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$35,658$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $46,000Between $40,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Atlanta, GA
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Exel Inc.
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between garbage collector driver and tractor-trailer driver education

There are a few differences between a garbage collector driver and a tractor-trailer driver in terms of educational background:

Garbage Collector DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Garbage collector driver vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

Here are the differences between garbage collector drivers' and tractor-trailer drivers' demographics:

Garbage Collector DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 91.5% Female, 8.5%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 3.7% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between garbage collector driver and tractor-trailer driver duties and responsibilities

Garbage collector driver example responsibilities.

  • Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
  • Perform maintenance on heavy equipment, run backhoe and do interior painting.

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Garbage collector driver vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common garbage collector driver skills
  • Hoisting, 29%
  • Drive Trucks, 27%
  • Maintenance Checks, 24%
  • DOT, 20%
Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

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