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The differences between parts drivers and parts runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a parts driver and a parts runner. Additionally, a parts driver has an average salary of $33,224, which is higher than the $31,562 average annual salary of a parts runner.
The top three skills for a parts driver include customer service, cleanliness and parts inventory. The most important skills for a parts runner are phone calls, customer service, and inventory control.
| Parts Driver | Parts Runner | |
| Yearly salary | $33,224 | $31,562 |
| Hourly rate | $15.97 | $15.17 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 146,082 | 36,491 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Parts delivery drivers work for a machine parts distributor or an auto parts outlet. Usually, delivery drivers deliver to repair shops and local dealerships for inventory replenishment. A lot of car repair shops maintain lower quantities of less common parts. Oftentimes, they complete their other duties in times of slow periods. Other than that, they unload inventory upon arrival from distribution centers and manufacturers. They also learn efficient delivery routes and become respectful to customers.
Parts runners are essential to the function of the parts department. They are responsible for either delivering the part of the automotive to customers or picking up the parts for a shop job. Their duties include picking up the payment for items ordered, delivering several automotive parts to different routes, and picking up parts needed to complete the automotive repair. Also, they pick up returned items from clients, examine the parts to match the parts sold to them, and provide the customer with the return receipt. In addition, parts runners maintain the vehicle used for the delivery.
Parts drivers and parts runners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Parts Driver | Parts Runner | |
| Average salary | $33,224 | $31,562 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Ken Garff Automotive Group | Martin Marietta |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Construction |
There are a few differences between a parts driver and a parts runner in terms of educational background:
| Parts Driver | Parts Runner | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between parts drivers' and parts runners' demographics:
| Parts Driver | Parts Runner | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% | Male, 76.0% Female, 24.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 1.6% White, 70.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |