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The differences between lead drivers and class b 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 lead driver and a class b driver. Additionally, a class b driver has an average salary of $44,233, which is higher than the $43,769 average annual salary of a lead driver.
The top three skills for a lead driver include DOT, work ethic and CDL. The most important skills for a class b driver are CDL, DOT, and customer service.
| Lead Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $43,769 | $44,233 |
| Hourly rate | $21.04 | $21.27 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 821,463 | 703,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Lead drivers are professionals who are responsible for supervising the staff drivers of either a logistics or trucking company. These lead drivers must manage the communication between drivers and personnel while generating dispatch reports base on their drivers' tracking logs. They must ensure that vehicles are fit for use according to the standards of the Department of Transportation (DOT) by checking engines and maintaining sufficient fluid levels of all vehicles. Lead drivers must also train and supervise new drivers about the company's policy and safety regulations.
A Class B driver is responsible for operating vehicles with weight requirements, usually used for commercial and industrial purposes. Class B drivers are typically employed as a school bus driver, delivery truck driver, public transit driver, ensuring that they meet a clean driving record. They should also have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on inspecting the vehicle's engine condition and set maintenance repairs as necessary. A Class B driver must adhere to the safe road regulations at all times to prevent accidents and avoid delays in operation.
Lead drivers and class b drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Average salary | $43,769 | $44,233 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $68,000 | Between $35,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | Kent, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Washington |
| Best paying company | Univar | Ilitch Holdings |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between a lead driver and a class b driver in terms of educational background:
| Lead Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead drivers' and class b drivers' demographics:
| Lead Driver | Class B Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% | Male, 90.1% Female, 9.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |