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Route specialist vs driver manager

The differences between route specialists and driver managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a route specialist and a driver manager. Additionally, a driver manager has an average salary of $45,922, which is higher than the $42,131 average annual salary of a route specialist.

The top three skills for a route specialist include CDL, service delivery and GPS. The most important skills for a driver manager are DOT, good communication, and on-time delivery.

Route specialist vs driver manager overview

Route SpecialistDriver Manager
Yearly salary$42,131$45,922
Hourly rate$20.26$22.08
Growth rate10%4%
Number of jobs32,8733,141
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a route specialist do?

As route specialists, they ensure an efficient and on-time routing system of assigned district offices. These specialists work with the route and operation managers in developing efficient runs and routes for assigned district offices. They must have the ability to promote a culture of outstanding customer service that fosters customer satisfaction and communicate with internal and external customers. They are responsible for developing stops and routes using the board policy and departmental practices to provide efficient on-time service to students. Also, they work with operation managers to review and process appeals.

What does a driver manager do?

The job of driver managers involves the recruitment, training, and assessment of drivers and their qualifications pursuant to driving laws. Driver managers manage vehicles confirming their safety and working order. They monitor the fleet to make sure that the deliveries are done as scheduled. It is part of their responsibilities to serve as mentors for drivers. They address drivers' communications and offer the necessary data to drivers. Also, they set periodical inspections of the vehicles in operation.

Route specialist vs driver manager salary

Route specialists and driver managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Route SpecialistDriver Manager
Average salary$42,131$45,922
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $59,000Between $29,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Sunnyvale, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-NVIDIA
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between route specialist and driver manager education

There are a few differences between a route specialist and a driver manager in terms of educational background:

Route SpecialistDriver Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Route specialist vs driver manager demographics

Here are the differences between route specialists' and driver managers' demographics:

Route SpecialistDriver Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 60.9% Female, 39.1%Male, 75.1% Female, 24.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.8% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between route specialist and driver manager duties and responsibilities

Route specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage an email account specifically for customers to fill out an RMA request form.
  • Develop VIP AS400 knowledge in efforts to lead department efficiency and to become less error- prone.
  • Provide logistics support plans for testing workshops to include procurement of essential equipment, inspection of training areas and reservations management.
  • Create work orders in Mudcats system and complete contract reviews per ISO guidelines.
  • View transmission logs via Linux on an AIX system.
  • Load and unload products off pallets using dollies, pallet jacks and forklifts if need.
  • Show more

Driver manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop and implement KPI metrics to effectively manage customer satisfaction
  • Certify and experience in HAZMAT shipments.
  • Head up vehicle maintenance scheduling along with tracking trucks via GPS and monitoring driver hours.
  • Help establish policies and procedures for management of all Dallas drivers' GPS systems and data.
  • Organize and create an OTR fleet, taking it to one of the top fleets in Denver.
  • Obtain necessary documents for the drivers to ensure safe transportation of HAZMAT freight, including overweight permits.
  • Show more

Route specialist vs driver manager skills

Common route specialist skills
  • CDL, 47%
  • Service Delivery, 13%
  • GPS, 7%
  • System Tools, 5%
  • NPS, 4%
  • Customer Issues, 4%
Common driver manager skills
  • DOT, 42%
  • Good Communication, 31%
  • On-Time Delivery, 10%
  • Customer Service, 3%
  • OTR, 2%
  • Driver Retention, 2%

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