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Owner/operator vs cdl class a driver

The differences between owner/operators and cdl class a 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 owner/operator and a cdl class a driver. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $52,203 average annual salary of a cdl class a driver.

The top three skills for an owner/operator include CDL, PET and customer service. The most important skills for a cdl class a driver are OTR, customer service, and hazmat.

Owner/operator vs cdl class a driver overview

Owner/OperatorCDL Class A Driver
Yearly salary$167,288$52,203
Hourly rate$80.43$25.10
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs119,599696,903
Job satisfaction54
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does an owner/operator do?

Owners/operators manage the business in all aspects, especially in those related to operations. They ensure that every aspect of the business is running smoothly. They oversee finance, marketing, logistics, sales, and even the human resources of the whole organization. They set business goals, create action plans to achieve them, and make sure that the plans are followed through. They set strategic direction and make business decisions that would be the most beneficial to the organization. They ensure that the business has enough funds to continue operating and that the quality of the products and services they offer continuously improve.

What does a cdl class a driver do?

A CDL Class A driver is a driver with a Class A commercial driver's license. A commercial driver's license is necessary to operate large, heavy, and placarded vehicles. There are several classifications of a commercial driver's license, and Class A is for a car towing a trailer with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds (5 t). Drivers with this type of license are entitled to operate a commercial motor vehicle such as passenger buses, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and dump trucks. They have the choice to add endorsements to their CDL, which allows them to operate particular types of commercial motor vehicles.

Owner/operator vs cdl class a driver salary

Owner/operators and cdl class a drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorCDL Class A Driver
Average salary$167,288$52,203
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $36,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTNewark, NJ
Highest paying stateOregonNorth Dakota
Best paying companyReddy IceMid-South Management
Best paying industryTechnologyTransportation

Differences between owner/operator and cdl class a driver education

There are a few differences between an owner/operator and a cdl class a driver in terms of educational background:

Owner/OperatorCDL Class A Driver
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Owner/operator vs cdl class a driver demographics

Here are the differences between owner/operators' and cdl class a drivers' demographics:

Owner/OperatorCDL Class A Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/operator and cdl class a driver duties and responsibilities

Owner/operator example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage a free subscription, advertising- base facsimile publication and franchising system.
  • Manage all inventory for eBay store, including its labeling, storage, sales, and overall organization.
  • Design, implement and manage processes base on ITIL best practices, standards and relate support tools across the organization.
  • Direct daily operations of four profit centers, managing all financial functions to include A/R, A/P, payroll and purchasing.
  • Create and manage print and electronic co-op advertising program
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Show more

Cdl class a driver example responsibilities.

  • Well verse in HAZMAT carriage and delivery precautions and protocols.
  • Maintain the company vehicle's emergency equip, inspections, and cleanliness.
  • Maintain a standard level of cleanliness for each truck and trailer after the trip are completed.
  • Plan OTR travel routes in accordance with traffic and bulk cargo transportation laws, regulations and guidelines.
  • Well verse in using GPS and maps to chart out time and cost efficient routes for delivery purposes.
  • Place empty carts and pallets in trailers so they will be available to facilitate placement and movement of goods.
  • Show more

Owner/operator vs cdl class a driver skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common cdl class a driver skills
  • OTR, 31%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Hazmat, 5%
  • Customer Locations, 4%
  • Math, 3%
  • DOT Regulations, 3%

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