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The differences between heavy truck drivers and local 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 local driver. Additionally, a heavy truck driver has an average salary of $54,369, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.
The top three skills for a heavy truck driver include CDL, safety rules and hazmat. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.
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 local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.
Heavy truck drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Truck Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average salary | $54,369 | $48,160 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $75,000 | Between $33,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Montana |
| Best paying company | B & B Co. | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a heavy truck driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Local Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy truck drivers' and local drivers' demographics:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% |
| 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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |