Pile driver operator vs lead driver

The differences between pile driver operators and lead drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a pile driver operator, becoming a lead driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a lead driver has an average salary of $43,769, which is higher than the $37,434 average annual salary of a pile driver operator.

The top three skills for a pile driver operator include pile, CDL and cranes. The most important skills for a lead driver are DOT, work ethic, and CDL.

Pile driver operator vs lead driver overview

	Pile Driver Operator	Lead Driver
Yearly salary	$37,434	$43,769
Hourly rate	$18.00	$21.04
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	82,632	821,463
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	45	48
Years of experience	4	2

Pile driver operator vs lead driver salary

Pile driver operators and lead drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pile Driver Operator	Lead Driver
Average salary	$37,434	$43,769
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $27,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	Newark, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Hampshire
Best paying company	-	Univar
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between pile driver operator and lead driver education

There are a few differences between a pile driver operator and a lead driver in terms of educational background:

	Pile Driver Operator	Lead Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Pile driver operator vs lead driver demographics

Here are the differences between pile driver operators' and lead drivers' demographics:

	Pile Driver Operator	Lead Driver
Average age	45	48
Gender ratio	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	4%

Differences between pile driver operator and lead driver duties and responsibilities

Pile driver operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy equipment including cranes, forklifts, and track vehicles.
Rig up equipment, signal crane and track-hoe to be move to a different area with in the job site.
Communicate with crane operator, rig concrete piles and materials, grease and oil equipment on a daily basis, unload trucks
Operate various caterpillar excavators, bulldozers, front-end loaders and other relate equipment to perform demolition on houses and infrastructure.
Manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients using GMP format and aseptic techniques.

Lead driver example responsibilities.

Manage the Lincoln driver workgroup.
Transport freight OTR and train drivers.
Train new drivers on all aspects of OTR driving.
Investigate driver accidents and injuries and review driver CDL license and medical cards.
Position require various FAA and Hazmat certifications.
Recognize by manager for implementing significant cost saving strategies relate to meeting drug testing requirements for CDL professionals

Pile driver operator vs lead driver skills

Common pile driver operator skills

Pile, 27%
CDL, 18%
Cranes, 12%
Construction Equipment, 11%
GPS, 10%
DOT, 5%

Common lead driver skills

DOT, 28%
Work Ethic, 16%
CDL, 10%
OTR, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Tractor Trailer, 3%

Updated January 8, 2025

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