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The differences between over the road drivers and van 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 van driver. Additionally, an over the road driver has an average salary of $62,119, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for an over the road driver include CDL, PET and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
| Over The Road Driver | Van Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $62,119 | $36,254 |
| Hourly rate | $29.86 | $17.43 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 711,143 | 791,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| 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 van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
Over the road drivers and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Over The Road Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $62,119 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $88,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Camden, NJ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Walmart | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an over the road driver and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| Over The Road Driver | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between over the road drivers' and van drivers' demographics:
| Over The Road Driver | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |