Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesJob Outlook

Compare

FAQsPart Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobsLocations

Owner/operator vs company driver

The differences between owner/operators and company 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 company driver. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $65,430 average annual salary of a company driver.

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

Owner/operator vs company driver overview

Owner/OperatorCompany Driver
Yearly salary$167,288$65,430
Hourly rate$80.43$31.46
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs119,599708,157
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 38%
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 company driver do?

A company driver helps an organization with all transport-related duties and ensures that these are carried out on time. Company drivers transport and deliver goods, equipment, products, and staff members to locations required by the organization. They maintain the cleanliness of their vehicles and are responsible for informing the organization about repairs and maintenance. Company drivers must also obtain the appropriate licenses and should have clean driving records with no accidents and traffic violations.

Owner/operator vs company driver salary

Owner/operators and company drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorCompany Driver
Average salary$167,288$65,430
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $45,000 And $93,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTNew York, NY
Highest paying stateOregonNorth Dakota
Best paying companyReddy IceAir Products
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between owner/operator and company driver education

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

Owner/OperatorCompany Driver
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Owner/operator vs company driver demographics

Here are the differences between owner/operators' and company drivers' demographics:

Owner/OperatorCompany Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5%
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, 13.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/operator and company 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

Company driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Ensure the safe transportation of HAZMAT shipments.
  • Load and unload trailers with propane fork lift.
  • Move, position, connect and disconnect converter dollies.
  • Work as a certify CDL instructor and trainer for new drivers.
  • Team driver on a dedicate LTL account hauling double trailer configurations.
    • Show more

Owner/operator vs company driver skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common company driver skills
  • CDL, 51%
  • OTR, 26%
  • PET, 8%
  • Hazmat, 4%
  • Customer Locations, 3%
  • Customer Service, 2%

Owner/Operator vs. similar jobs

Owner/Operator related careers

Owner/Operator related jobs

Owner/Operator jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs