Post job

Owner/operator vs truck driver-over-the-road

The differences between owner/operators and truck driver-over the roads 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 truck driver-over-the-road. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $69,158 average annual salary of a truck driver-over-the-road.

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

Owner/operator vs truck driver-over-the-road overview

Owner/OperatorTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Yearly salary$167,288$69,158
Hourly rate$80.43$33.25
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs119,599689,630
Job satisfaction55
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 40%
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 truck driver-over-the-road do?

A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is an individual driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach. To avoid vehicular breakdowns and delays, OTR drivers are required to inspect their trucks and review shipping and transport documents. They are also responsible for unloading freights and collect charges from customers.

Owner/operator vs truck driver-over-the-road salary

Owner/operators and truck driver-over the roads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Average salary$167,288$69,158
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $50,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTDes Moines, WA
Highest paying stateOregonWashington
Best paying companyReddy IceWalmart
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between owner/operator and truck driver-over-the-road education

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

Owner/OperatorTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Owner/operator vs truck driver-over-the-road demographics

Here are the differences between owner/operators' and truck driver-over the roads' demographics:

Owner/OperatorTruck Driver-Over-The-Road
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9%
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, 13.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/operator and truck driver-over-the-road 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

Truck driver-over-the-road example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Ensure on-time delivery of LTL freight.
  • Transport HazMat products using proper placards and following require routes.
  • Transport basic HAZMAT cargo and ensure trailer are correctly labele.
  • Read maps or GPS to follow written or verbal geographic directions.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the company vehicle as required by your location.
  • Show more

Owner/operator vs truck driver-over-the-road skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common truck driver-over-the-road skills
  • CDL, 34%
  • OTR, 32%
  • PET, 18%
  • Hazmat, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 2%
  • Customer Service, 2%

Browse transportation jobs