Post job

Refuse driver vs commercial driver

The differences between refuse drivers and commercial drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a refuse driver and a commercial driver. Additionally, a commercial driver has an average salary of $46,852, which is higher than the $38,665 average annual salary of a refuse driver.

The top three skills for a refuse driver include CDL, DOT and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a commercial driver are customer service, CDL, and ladders.

Refuse driver vs commercial driver overview

Refuse DriverCommercial Driver
Yearly salary$38,665$46,852
Hourly rate$18.59$22.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs690,8151,016,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Refuse driver vs commercial driver salary

Refuse drivers and commercial drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Refuse DriverCommercial Driver
Average salary$38,665$46,852
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $52,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Laramie County Community College
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between refuse driver and commercial driver education

There are a few differences between a refuse driver and a commercial driver in terms of educational background:

Refuse DriverCommercial Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesBusiness
Most common college--

Refuse driver vs commercial driver demographics

Here are the differences between refuse drivers' and commercial drivers' demographics:

Refuse DriverCommercial Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 96.4% Female, 3.6%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 4.0% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between refuse driver and commercial driver duties and responsibilities

Refuse driver example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate delivery and pickup up times to maintain continuous business operations.
  • Deliver packages, able to drive a manual transmission, data entry and able to use scanner (DIAD )

Commercial driver example responsibilities.

  • Haul HAZMAT with roll-off bins, tankers, flatb, dry vans and dumps.
  • Plan delivery route & schedule using maps and GPS devices.
  • Develop and maintain an efficient routing system utilizing GPS and map.
  • Operate a Volvo commercial truck and transport regional and OTR loads.
  • Train and evaluate entry-level drivers while operating as an OTR flatb driver.
  • Determine if they would benefit from coming to school and obtaining their CDL.
  • Show more

Refuse driver vs commercial driver skills

Common refuse driver skills
  • CDL, 34%
  • DOT, 14%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 13%
  • Safety Regulations, 11%
  • Maintenance Checks, 6%
  • Safety Equipment, 5%
Common commercial driver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Customer Orders, 9%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%

Browse transportation jobs