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The differences between heavy truck drivers and van 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 van driver. Additionally, a heavy truck driver has an average salary of $54,369, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a heavy truck driver include CDL, safety rules and hazmat. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
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 van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
Heavy truck drivers and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Truck Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $54,369 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $75,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | B & B Co. | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a heavy truck driver and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy truck drivers' and van drivers' demographics:
| Heavy Truck Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |