Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between operators and truck driver and over the road drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an operator and truck driver and an over the road driver. Additionally, an operator and truck driver has an average salary of $250,847, which is higher than the $62,119 average annual salary of an over the road driver.
The top three skills for an operator and truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for an over the road driver are CDL, PET, and post-trip inspections.
| Operator And Truck Driver | Over The Road Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $250,847 | $62,119 |
| Hourly rate | $120.60 | $29.86 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 483,014 | 711,143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An operator and truck driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transport of goods and services within a particular area. One must have the skills and credentials, such as a license for driving large vehicles, and stamina for the long drives. Aside from this, they must also abide by the traffic rules and regulations at all times, even conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure that the vehicle is in good condition. Furthermore, an operator and truck driver must coordinate with clients and other workers to ensure that all deliveries are accurate and timely.
Over the road, (OTR) drivers are the truckers driving the big semi-trailer truck that hauls all types of goods to their destinations across the states. Their journey typically begins with loading the freight onto the trailer, requiring them to lift heavy materials and load the cargo properly to avoid shifting while in transit. They often sleep in the sleeper berth at a truck stop to eat, freshen up and refuel. They are allowed to go on a 30-minute break after an eight-hour drive.
Operators and truck driver and over the road drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Operator And Truck Driver | Over The Road Driver | |
| Average salary | $250,847 | $62,119 |
| Salary range | Between $126,000 And $497,000 | Between $43,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, OR | Camden, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | York | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an operator and truck driver and an over the road driver in terms of educational background:
| Operator And Truck Driver | Over The Road Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between operators and truck driver' and over the road drivers' demographics:
| Operator And Truck Driver | Over The Road Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |