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The differences between over the road drivers and local 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 over the road driver and a local driver. Additionally, an over the road driver has an average salary of $62,119, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.
The top three skills for an over the road driver include CDL, PET and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.
| Over The Road Driver | Local Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $62,119 | $48,160 |
| Hourly rate | $29.86 | $23.15 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 711,143 | 786,531 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.
Over the road drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Over The Road Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average salary | $62,119 | $48,160 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $88,000 | Between $33,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Camden, NJ | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Montana |
| Best paying company | Walmart | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an over the road driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:
| Over The Road Driver | Local Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between over the road drivers' and local drivers' demographics:
| Over The Road Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |