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The differences between heavy truck drivers and dump truck 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 heavy truck driver and a dump truck driver. Additionally, a dump truck driver has an average salary of $55,857, which is higher than the $54,369 average annual salary of a heavy truck driver.
The top three skills for a heavy truck driver include CDL, safety rules and hazmat. The most important skills for a dump truck driver are CDL, asphalt, and DOT.
A heavy truck driver delivers goods and other heavy loads for clients. They transport these goods within a designated route from the manufacturing warehouse to designated store locations. In addition to driving, they determine if their truck complies with the weight or height restrictions on certain bridges and tunnels and modifies routes as necessary.
A dump truck driver is responsible for transporting construction materials, such as rocks, sands, woods, heavy equipment, garbage collection, and junk supplies from one place to the assigned destination. Dump truck drivers must have excellent mechanical skills to inspect the vehicle before and after operations to prevent delays and possible engine failures, especially on working during different weather conditions. They should also have clean driving records, following the road's safety regulations at all times, ensuring the efficiency of deliveries within the agreed time.
Heavy truck drivers and dump truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Truck Driver | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $54,369 | $55,857 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $75,000 | Between $43,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | Ponca City, OK |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | B & B Co. | North Central Group |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a heavy truck driver and a dump truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy truck drivers' and dump truck drivers' demographics:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 3.9% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |