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Owner/operator vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between owner/operators and tractor-trailer 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 tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $58,498 average annual salary of a tractor-trailer driver.

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

Owner/operator vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Owner/OperatorTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$167,288$58,498
Hourly rate$80.43$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs119,599690,787
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 tractor-trailer driver do?

A tractor-trailer driver is responsible for picking up and delivering goods and services from distribution centers and warehouses to different locations across the country as required. Tractor-trailer drivers manage the best route planning to prevent delays. They should also have extensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the vehicle's condition regularly, repairing any inconsistencies, and replacing defective components to ensure smooth operations. A tractor-trailer driver must have excellent communication and organizational skills, responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns and escalating complaints to management for immediate resolution.

Owner/operator vs tractor-trailer driver salary

Owner/operators and tractor-trailer drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$167,288$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $40,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTAtlanta, GA
Highest paying stateOregonNorth Dakota
Best paying companyReddy IceExel Inc.
Best paying industryTechnologyTransportation

Differences between owner/operator and tractor-trailer driver education

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

Owner/OperatorTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Owner/operator vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

Here are the differences between owner/operators' and tractor-trailer drivers' demographics:

Owner/OperatorTractor-Trailer 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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/operator and tractor-trailer 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

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Owner/operator vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

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