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Owner/operator vs transportation driver

The differences between owner/operators and transportation 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 transportation driver. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $43,236 average annual salary of a transportation driver.

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

Owner/operator vs transportation driver overview

Owner/OperatorTransportation Driver
Yearly salary$167,288$43,236
Hourly rate$80.43$20.79
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs119,5991,006,562
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 transportation driver do?

A transportation driver is responsible for transporting people and goods from one place to another. A transportation driver must have a clean driving record to operate vehicles carefully and efficiently. Transportation drivers must ensure that the passengers are safe and comfortable during the trip and that goods are in proper condition to avoid damage and defects. They should strictly adhere to the transport schedules and assigned routes to avoid delays of operations. A transportation driver should also understand maintenance basics of vehicles to perform repair and reconditioning of any engine malfunction.

Owner/operator vs transportation driver salary

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

Owner/OperatorTransportation Driver
Average salary$167,288$43,236
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTCheyenne, WY
Highest paying stateOregonWyoming
Best paying companyReddy IceWest Tennessee Healthcare
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between owner/operator and transportation driver education

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

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

Owner/operator vs transportation driver demographics

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

Owner/OperatorTransportation Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%
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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/operator and transportation 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

Transportation driver example responsibilities.

  • Utilize CDL to transport elderly patients to doctor appointments, dining and recreation activities.
  • Maintain safe CDL driving record.
  • Haul chemicals OTR to customers assist in load and unload as needed
  • Certify in CPR, chauffeur license, perform administrative support functions.
  • Transport clients in a safe and professional manner; ability to understand maps and GPS
  • Assist in loading and unloading of van for patients with slight disabilities such as walkers, wheelchairs.
  • Show more

Owner/operator vs transportation driver skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common transportation driver skills
  • CDL, 21%
  • DOT, 15%
  • Tractor Trailer, 10%
  • Hazmat, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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