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The differences between over the road 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 an over the road driver and a truck driver. Additionally, an over the road driver has an average salary of $62,119, which is higher than the $60,326 average annual salary of a truck driver.
The top three skills for an over the road driver include CDL, PET and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Over The Road Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $62,119 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $29.86 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 711,143 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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.
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.
Over the road drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Over The Road Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $62,119 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $88,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Camden, NJ | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Walmart | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Retail |
There are a few differences between an over the road driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Over The Road Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between over the road drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Over The Road Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 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% |