Post job

Hauler vs commercial driver

The differences between haulers and commercial 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 hauler and a commercial driver. Additionally, a commercial driver has an average salary of $46,852, which is higher than the $39,903 average annual salary of a hauler.

The top three skills for a hauler include CDL, tractor trailer and OTR. The most important skills for a commercial driver are customer service, CDL, and ladders.

Hauler vs commercial driver overview

HaulerCommercial Driver
Yearly salary$39,903$46,852
Hourly rate$19.18$22.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs894,8371,016,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a hauler do?

Haulers have some similar responsibilities across the various industries they find themselves in. As a hauler, you may be expected to check out the delivery truck performance and carry out routine daily maintenance on vehicles. Your job duties may also involve conducting emergency roadside repairs, replacing light bulbs, and delivering items like sand, building materials, and other goods for clients or as a construction company. Before vehicle take-off, you may be required to perform pre-trip and after-trip inspections to make sure that everything is in good working condition.

What does a commercial driver do?

A commercial driver is responsible for transporting people, goods, and services from one place to various destinations as required. Commercial drivers must have a clean driving record to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and the merchandise's quality while on the road. They should also know how to operate a vehicle's engine, inspect system defects, and repair system malfunctions to prevent any delays in transportation and deliveries. A commercial driver must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry and report any problems to management.

Hauler vs commercial driver salary

Haulers and commercial drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

HaulerCommercial Driver
Average salary$39,903$46,852
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $69,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNAuburn, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyProDriversLaramie County Community College
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between hauler and commercial driver education

There are a few differences between a hauler and a commercial driver in terms of educational background:

HaulerCommercial Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Hauler vs commercial driver demographics

Here are the differences between haulers' and commercial drivers' demographics:

HaulerCommercial Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 90.2% Female, 9.8%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.9% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between hauler and commercial driver duties and responsibilities

Hauler example responsibilities.

  • Manage and execute standard operations of a semi-tractor trailer for OTR drop and hook services.
  • Haul, BMW, Porche, Mercedes OTR
  • Maintain CDL-B license with HAZMAT and tanker endorsements.
  • Maintain current training and comply with all PPE requirements.
  • Deliver or pickup from destination return to yard unload inspect.
  • Extract crude oil from tanks and deliver oil to lact stations.
  • Show more

Commercial driver example responsibilities.

  • Haul HAZMAT with roll-off bins, tankers, flatb, dry vans and dumps.
  • Plan delivery route & schedule using maps and GPS devices.
  • Develop and maintain an efficient routing system utilizing GPS and map.
  • Operate a Volvo commercial truck and transport regional and OTR loads.
  • Train and evaluate entry-level drivers while operating as an OTR flatb driver.
  • Determine if they would benefit from coming to school and obtaining their CDL.
  • Show more

Hauler vs commercial driver skills

Common hauler skills
  • CDL, 35%
  • Tractor Trailer, 26%
  • OTR, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • DOT, 5%
  • PPE, 4%
Common commercial driver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Customer Orders, 9%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%

Browse transportation jobs