Post job

Owner/operator vs over the road driver

The differences between owner/operators and over the road 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 an over the road driver. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $62,119 average annual salary of an over the road driver.

The top three skills for an owner/operator include CDL, PET and customer service. The most important skills for an over the road driver are CDL, PET, and post-trip inspections.

Owner/operator vs over the road driver overview

Owner/OperatorOver The Road Driver
Yearly salary$167,288$62,119
Hourly rate$80.43$29.86
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs119,599711,143
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 37%
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 an over the road driver do?

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.

Owner/operator vs over the road driver salary

Owner/operators and over the road drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorOver The Road Driver
Average salary$167,288$62,119
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $43,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTCamden, NJ
Highest paying stateOregonNew Jersey
Best paying companyReddy IceWalmart
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between owner/operator and over the road driver education

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

Owner/OperatorOver The Road Driver
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Owner/operator vs over the road driver demographics

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

Owner/OperatorOver The Road Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/operator and over the road 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

Over the road driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Work OTR reefer unit with assign trainer after CDL are obtained.
  • Comply with all FMCSA rules and regulations to maintain CDL-A status.
  • Train CDL driver responsible for OTR pick up and delivery of goods.
  • Transport domestic freight from customer to customer, and employ industry standard HAZMAT procedures.
  • Action resources is a HAZMAT company that have drivers locally and over the road.
  • Show more

Owner/operator vs over the road driver skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common over the road driver skills
  • CDL, 34%
  • PET, 8%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 7%
  • Hazmat, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Federal Regulations, 4%

Browse transportation jobs