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Hauler vs truck driver-over-the-road

The differences between haulers and truck driver-over the roads 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 truck driver-over-the-road. Additionally, a truck driver-over-the-road has an average salary of $69,158, 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 truck driver-over-the-road are CDL, OTR, and PET.

Hauler vs truck driver-over-the-road overview

HaulerTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Yearly salary$39,903$69,158
Hourly rate$19.18$33.25
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs894,837689,630
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 40%
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 truck driver-over-the-road do?

A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is an individual driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach. To avoid vehicular breakdowns and delays, OTR drivers are required to inspect their trucks and review shipping and transport documents. They are also responsible for unloading freights and collect charges from customers.

Hauler vs truck driver-over-the-road salary

Haulers and truck driver-over the roads have different pay scales, as shown below.

HaulerTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Average salary$39,903$69,158
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $69,000Between $50,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNDes Moines, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyProDriversWalmart
Best paying industryTransportationManufacturing

Differences between hauler and truck driver-over-the-road education

There are a few differences between a hauler and a truck driver-over-the-road in terms of educational background:

HaulerTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Hauler vs truck driver-over-the-road demographics

Here are the differences between haulers' and truck driver-over the roads' demographics:

HaulerTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 90.2% Female, 9.8%Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9%
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, 13.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between hauler and truck driver-over-the-road 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

Truck driver-over-the-road example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Ensure on-time delivery of LTL freight.
  • Transport HazMat products using proper placards and following require routes.
  • Transport basic HAZMAT cargo and ensure trailer are correctly labele.
  • Read maps or GPS to follow written or verbal geographic directions.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the company vehicle as required by your location.
  • Show more

Hauler vs truck driver-over-the-road skills

Common hauler skills
  • CDL, 35%
  • Tractor Trailer, 26%
  • OTR, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • DOT, 5%
  • PPE, 4%
Common truck driver-over-the-road skills
  • CDL, 34%
  • OTR, 32%
  • PET, 18%
  • Hazmat, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 2%
  • Customer Service, 2%

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