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The differences between lead 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 lead driver and a truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, 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 truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Lead Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $43,769 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $21.04 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 821,463 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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.
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.
Lead drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $43,769 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $68,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Univar | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a lead driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Lead Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Lead Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% 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% |