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Hauler vs transportation driver

The differences between haulers and transportation 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 transportation driver. Additionally, a transportation driver has an average salary of $43,236, 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 transportation driver are CDL, DOT, and tractor trailer.

Hauler vs transportation driver overview

HaulerTransportation Driver
Yearly salary$39,903$43,236
Hourly rate$19.18$20.79
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs894,8371,006,562
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 38%
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 transportation driver do?

A transportation driver is responsible for transporting people and goods from one place to another. A transportation driver must have a clean driving record to operate vehicles carefully and efficiently. Transportation drivers must ensure that the passengers are safe and comfortable during the trip and that goods are in proper condition to avoid damage and defects. They should strictly adhere to the transport schedules and assigned routes to avoid delays of operations. A transportation driver should also understand maintenance basics of vehicles to perform repair and reconditioning of any engine malfunction.

Hauler vs transportation driver salary

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

HaulerTransportation Driver
Average salary$39,903$43,236
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $69,000Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNCheyenne, WY
Highest paying stateAlaskaWyoming
Best paying companyProDriversWest Tennessee Healthcare
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between hauler and transportation driver education

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

HaulerTransportation Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Hauler vs transportation driver demographics

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

HaulerTransportation Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 90.2% Female, 9.8%Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%
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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between hauler and transportation 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

Transportation driver example responsibilities.

  • Utilize CDL to transport elderly patients to doctor appointments, dining and recreation activities.
  • Maintain safe CDL driving record.
  • Haul chemicals OTR to customers assist in load and unload as needed
  • Certify in CPR, chauffeur license, perform administrative support functions.
  • Transport clients in a safe and professional manner; ability to understand maps and GPS
  • Assist in loading and unloading of van for patients with slight disabilities such as walkers, wheelchairs.
  • Show more

Hauler vs transportation driver skills

Common hauler skills
  • CDL, 35%
  • Tractor Trailer, 26%
  • OTR, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • DOT, 5%
  • PPE, 4%
Common transportation driver skills
  • CDL, 21%
  • DOT, 15%
  • Tractor Trailer, 10%
  • Hazmat, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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