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The differences between heavy truck drivers and 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 truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, 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 truck driver are CDL, OTR, 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.
The truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Heavy truck drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Truck Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $54,369 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $75,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | California | Delaware |
| Best paying company | B & B Co. | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Retail |
There are a few differences between a heavy truck driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy truck drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |