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Owner/operator vs driver/owner operator

The differences between owner/operators and driver/owner operators 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 driver/owner operator. Additionally, a driver/owner operator has an average salary of $169,793, which is higher than the $167,288 average annual salary of an owner/operator.

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

Owner/operator vs driver/owner operator overview

Owner/OperatorDriver/Owner Operator
Yearly salary$167,288$169,793
Hourly rate$80.43$81.63
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs119,599170,784
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 44%
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 driver/owner operator do?

Driver/owner-operators are self-employed commercial truck drivers who operate trucks to transport goods for their customers. Most of these operators started working as drivers for trucking companies to gain experience and decide if it's the right career path for them. They are allowed to haul freelance or agree to a lease agreement dedicating their equipment to one product or customer. To become an owner-operator, one should consider many things, including business set-up, vehicle type, and licenses.

Owner/operator vs driver/owner operator salary

Owner/operators and driver/owner operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorDriver/Owner Operator
Average salary$167,288$169,793
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $69,000 And $417,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTSavannah, GA
Highest paying stateOregonTexas
Best paying companyReddy IceClean Harbors
Best paying industryTechnologyEnergy

Differences between owner/operator and driver/owner operator education

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

Owner/OperatorDriver/Owner Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Owner/operator vs driver/owner operator demographics

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

Owner/OperatorDriver/Owner Operator
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 3.8% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/operator and driver/owner operator 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

Driver/owner operator example responsibilities.

  • Train new students to help them accomplish there goal of obtaining there CDL license.
  • Direct daily operations of four profit centers, managing all financial functions to include A/R, A/P, payroll and purchasing.
  • Load and unload crude oil with PTO and lack.
  • Follow all safety procedures including wearing proper PPE, able to thief, gauge and test the oil.
  • Roll off, tractor trailer, dump truck and heavy equipment operator all dot inspections on truck, equipment inspections
  • Complete log sheet on QUALCOMM.
    • Show more

Owner/operator vs driver/owner operator skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common driver/owner operator skills
  • CDL, 36%
  • DOT, 26%
  • OTR, 25%
  • PET, 3%
  • Hazmat, 2%
  • Safety Regulations, 1%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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